Antionette is drop dead gorgeous. I mean, there was a time in our friendship when I felt so self conscious going out in public with her because I thought everyone was going to be comparing my looks to hers and I knew how short I would come up. Now I realize how absolutely freeing it is to be out with her because absolutely NO ONE is going to take a second look at me when she's in the room. It's awesome! A lot of times I don't even put makeup on. Why bother? She is tall and has the longest shiniest thickest dark hair I've ever seen. Lately she's been talking about cutting it and it makes my heart hurt. Her olive skin and dark eyes are stunning. I can't even. You just need to meet her. Everyone needs to meet her!
We met at Dillard's one summer while we were both waiting to go off to grad school. We instantly bonded over laughing about the crazy ladies we worked with and complaining about the arcane dress code we were being subjected to (we rebelled together by wearing black footless tights instead of actual hose. The horror!). She ended up leaving to go to law school and I left to work another job before I went to grad school a few months later. 2010 found us both out of grad school and working in Atlanta. We reconnected and now catch up regularly over long dinners.
I'm so very grateful to have met her when I did. It was a time in my life where I felt like things were put on hold; I had graduated with my degree but was trying to get into grad school. I felt lost and a little ashamed that I wasn't immediately accepted into grad school. It was such a help to get to know Antionette, to see such a smart woman who had graduated and was waiting for law school. We all need those people who show up in our lives and say "I'm here too." Her friendship helped me through and I'm so very glad that we've remained friends.
Antionette now works full time as an attorney and spends most of her free time helping women. She has worked with organizations that provide legal aid to women dealing with domestic abuse, as well as starting an organization that speaks love and healing into the lives of women who are post-abortive. As beautiful as Antionette's face is, you often don't even notice it when you start to talk with her. I've never met anyone who spills out equal parts passion and mercy in their conversation as she does. To sit down and talk with her is an experience. They way she speaks about women is beautiful. Her words just flow out of her soul, a fountain of life-giving truth that changes lives. My life is richer because Antionette speaks truth into it. The difference she is making in the lives of women hurting and struggling at rock bottom is immeasurable. And she does it all with such strong and mighty grace. You can't fake the kind of love she has for people. A lot of times I find myself asking "what would Antionette say?" when I'm looking for words in the middle of difficult situations.
So, here's to Antionette: the woman who is passionate about life, the lady who will not leave women in bondage, the beautiful mercy-bringer, I love you and I'm so very glad you're in my life!
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