FAITHFULNESS: The 6 Pack

Faithfulness: Full of faith; firm in adherence to promises.

When I was in high school I had a group of girlfriends. There were 6 of us, we called ourselves "The 6-Pack." Everyone knew it too. It was always ironic that we called ourselves that because none of us drank. When someone says 6-pack most people think of a 6 pack of beer. But that wasn't us at all. We were the kind of friends who had slumber parties, while all the other kids were sneaking out, getting drunk, and doing God knows what else. And we were satisfied doing slumber parties.

We were so creative too. We would play games, one in particular was called the animal game. I could never explain to you how we played it, but thinking back on it shows just how innocent we were. We would make home videos, fix each others hair and take pictures, and just sit around talking for hours. It was good enough for us to do that, we didn't need all the other "stuff" that other kids were doing.

At the time I knew those girls were special, and I knew we had a bond that would be tough to break. As young girls you always say "We will be friends forever!" That's just what you say. But with us, 16 years later, it still remains true. We have been through everything together. Family problems, deaths, 101 boyfriends, 101 heartbreaks, college mistakes, fights, and I kid you not we all dated the same guys. We laugh now that 5 out of the 6 have all kissed the same guy, but at the time....TALK ABOUT SOME DRAMA!!! I think all the drama brought us closer in the end. The guys came and went...but we are still friends and there is no doubt in my mind that we would do anything for each other. If one of them called me this second I would be there, that's just how it is. Bonds like that don't break. Ever. And you can't go out and pick those kids of friends....they are heaven sent.

We always said our group was full. It was the 6-pack, so 7 would change things. But then God brought Laura :) I say God brought her, because He did. Without her I would never be where I am today. God knew we needed #7, God knew that Tanna needed #7. And because of that, we became 7....but still kept our original name "The 6-Pack."

Our lives now are filled with weddings, babies, and the memories just continue. Actually right now two out of the group are about to be in labor! That's just crazy to me.

When I sat down to write about being faithful, I didn't intend to write about the 6-pack. But I couldn't write about anything else, that was what was on my heart. To me, that is faithfulness. Sticking by someone through everything. Sticking by someone when they hurt you, or when they go their own way for a while because that is what they need to do. Being able to unconditionally love someone...no matter what. Crying with them, laughing with them, and hugging them tight when they are in pain. Praying for them. Forgiving them for kissing your boyfriend, and being able to laugh about it later. Being able to open up about your insecurities, and know that they won't look at you differently. Living thousands of miles apart, but the second you see them it is like nothing has changed. That is faithfulness, and that is why our bonds will always remain tight. We can get through anything together.

It means something when you are faithful. Whether it be faithful to your spouse, your friends, your job, your word, etc. It means something and it speaks loudly. Others know when you are faithful and they respect it. Being faithful is important. I think we all fail at this at times, but being able to pick things up and start again matters. When you are faithful, you can make a difference.

We all have our "role" in the group. We are all so different, but that's what makes us fun. I want to introduce you to The 6-pack, as well as their unspoken role. I am writing this from my point of view. This was their role in my life, and what they did or still do for me. I also included a picture of us when we were very young, and then one of them as an adult :) You don't have to read the rest, they are letters to the girls and you might get bored. But you are more than welcome too if you would like.

I will start with myself. I was the loud one. I would laugh loud and they could always count on me to make good conversation. When I say good conversation, I mean the kind of conversation that everyone wants to talk about...but noone wants to bring up. That was me. I remember one time one of them wanted to talk about sex. None of us knew much, that is what was so funny about it. I remember them asking me in my ear if I would bring it up because they were scared to! Ha, so I did. I was never shy, and I was the one that they could tell anything to and I wouldn't freak out. I always kept an open mind. I made sure to always have fun with a smile on my face. That was me.

Dear Jenna,

For me, you were like my twin. I am not sure whose smile was bigger...mine or yours. Heck, we just look at each other and smile..it just happens. You were always (and still are) the life of the party. You always made me feel special and loved. You gave the best hugs. I love hugging you because you have the best "chest" and it makes your hugs so soft! I always wished you could share some of those with me :) Maybe someday if you are willing to let them go! You hated oranges, and you were such a good sport when me and Tara would sneak orange peels into your backpack during Ms Freys class. We fought over boys, and I think now it just makes me love you more. You are warm, fun, and I think you have a heart of gold. I love you.


Dear Brittany,

Our minds are exactly the same. We like things in order, very organized, and we love schedules. If I am meeting you, I know you will be there...on time! It goes deeper than that though. You were always much quiter than me, but your actions spoke loudly. You did what was right, all the time. You always stood by your morals, and you were not easily swayed. You were committed, you always have been. Even when I hurt you, you stayed committed to me and our friendship. I could always count on you to do what you said, and I have never doubted you. That means something to me. If I asked you to pray, I knew you would be praying...I wouldn't have to wonder if you forgot. My favorite thing about us was our creative "dates" we would plan. It was always something. The boyfriends always changed, but the dates were always fun! You always stuck by me...even after you made cheerleader in 11th grade and I didn't :) You were the one in the group that helped us keep the rules, and always had the church camp schedule memorized so we wouldn't be late to anything. You are true to the things that are important to you, and I am so thankful I am on that list. I love you.




Dear Tara,

You are my angel. God knew what He was doing when He brought you to me in the 7th grade. Meeting you changed the direction of my life tremendously. At the time I met you I could have traveled one of two roads, but because of you, I took the Godly road. Thank you Jesus for that. You were the one I could sleep in my sponge curlers with and not be embarrassed. Heck, I could do anything in front of you and not be embarrassed. You were the "mom" of the group, but in the sweetest way. I always wanted you to be proud of me. You were always genuine. You didn't trash people ever, and if you did say something negative about someone it still sounded sweet. You just had a good nature about you and it shined. You are the one I call at 2 in the morning when I am driving around upset for whatever reason, and you are the one that can finish my sentences without hesitation. You have always looked past my failures and loved me anyways. I love you.


Dear Jennifer,

You are in labor right now, or about to be! Wow. I am praying for you, just as I have been for months. You always had the best smile and the best laugh. I loved your laugh so much I copied it. I will never forget how annoying we were in the cafeteria at South. We were both so loud, to this day people still remind me of that. But we both loved to be fun...and that we did. You were the best at the animal game. Your face would light up as you did "the pig" and I always thought you were so beautiful. You just had a way about you that was contagious. You were the first to ride in a car with a boy. You were 15, and Jason was 16 and I remember thinking "Wow, she's lucky!" Who would have known that you would one day marry that same boy. When I saw you at the high school reunion you had that same smile for me and that was conforting....just like it always was. I can't wait to see baby Kate. I love you.


Dear Karen,

I think me and you fought over boys the most. I guess we both had good taste! Or bad taste, depending on how you look at it. We just fell in love with the same boy, we couldn't help it! One day we were friends, and the next day we were writing notes back and forth about how upset we were. That was just us. Your house was the most fun, I think because you had that window in your bedroom that we always said we sneak out of. We (at least me) never did it, but it was always a fun thought. (sorry Mrs. Gaskill if you are reading this!) You also had the older sister, which is something I never had and I always thought you were so lucky. And you are. I always loved you, whether you always knew it or not. You had a heart like mine, and I knew that you would do anything for any of us. When I found out you were pregnant with Blakely at the same time as me, I felt like our bond just became stronger. Our babies are 6 weeks apart, they will be in the same grade....maybe they will fight over boys one day too! And I am sure we will have lots of advice for them. 16 years later here we are. Those dumb boys are gone, we are Mom's now, and we are there for each other. God sure does work in amazing ways. You are never affraid to laugh with me no matter what the topic, I love that. And I love you.



And last...but certainly not least....

Dear Laura,

You love me no matter what. I think I could rob a bank and you would still find good in me. That is a quality most of us only dream of having. You have such a sweet nature and it pours out of you like a waterfall. You were always the one that could listen to me cry and always knew what to say next that would make me stop crying. You always believed in me and got excited for me, and I loved that about you. We faced several of the same battles, and you are the reason I was able to overcome them. I found so much strength in being your best friend. When we went to Hawaii together, two little 18 year old girls, I knew we would be friends forever. I had never flown before, but being on that plane with you was so calming. "Calm" is the perfect word to describe what you do for me. Your voice has a way of settling me down when I get out of control. We can talk about anything together and it is never uncomfortable. Or we can sit in a car and say nothing...and it is never uncomfortable. You have been a rock to me through the years and I could never thank you enough. I love you.




There is the 6-Pack for you. Girls we have come a long way...that is all I can say! You have all been so faithful. My life has much more meaning because of each you. Love you guys!

Tanna's definition of FAITHFULNESS: THE 6-PACK