Among the plethora of gifts I am giving my best friend for her 21st birthday is a very special one -- service. For the first time in my memory, I will not be there to celebrate my best friend and sisters' birthday in July. By the time you're reading this, I will be about halfway through my summer of service with WinShape Camps. It's so strange to think that for the first July in forever Katie, Hillary, and I are in three different places. As I write this, I'm anxious about even going away, but I remember something Hillary told us before she left for Swaziland, "If I don't go, then I won't be doing you any good, because it's in God's will for me to go."

This time I chose to serve, but I am reminded of all the times I did not choose to serve. My best friend has seen me turn away from love and service time after time. She has seen me take my anger out on people who only wanted to help. She has called me out time after time when I was wrong, but in 19 years of friendship, she has never left my side when I have been wrong.

We joke that before I leave next week, I need to make a "WWKS: What Would Katie Say?" bracelet to remind me to think before I speak in Georgia and Florida over the course of the summer. Katie is gentle, kind and loves children that much more when they are being difficult. I only ask that God will give me the grace, strength and maturity to love people when they are wrong in the way that my sweet sisters have loved me.

So, why am I writing this sweet piece to publish on a public forum rather than just sending it as a personal letter or email to my best friend? Two reasons: First, this will be seen by your eyes on the week of my best friend's 21st birthday, and I hope it will make it that much more special for her when I cannot be there physically to help her celebrate. But secondly, and more importantly, I want this article to emphasize the importance of continuing to love others even after they do the wrong thing.

Losing a best friend feels horrible and knowing that it's your fault makes the loss that much more painful. Fortunately, I have never had to go through that with Katie, because she has loved me that much more after every mistake I have made. When I ran away, she ran after me. When I lied, she forgave me. When I was in the dark, she turned on the lights.

Knowing that kind of love has inspired me to love others in that same way. It has reminded me that I need to think about the effects of my actions before I follow through on them, because the last thing I want is to hurt those who love me the most. It is because I have had such a wonderful friend that I know how to be a friend.

Happy birth week, Katie. I love you.