“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” – Oprah Winfrey

“Friendship marks a life even more deeply than love. Love risks degenerating into obsession, friendship is never anything but sharing.” – Elie Wiesel

By Dawn Onley

This week, please join me in celebrating Queen Samantha McKenzie’s 50th birthday! Her birthday is Wednesday, July 25^th, but Women Who Hope is celebrating her all week long because she’s worthy of the celebration!

I first met Samantha my freshman year of college. We were in a class together and we instantly connected. I glanced her way and her smile back was bright and reassuring. It may sound odd, but I knew at that moment we would be friends.

We would laugh for moments on end about silly stuff. We could find humor in anything.

We were both curious about this big, beautiful world and our place in it. We would chat for hours while putting out our college newspaper. We churned out stories until the wee hours of the morning and then would drive the news pages to the publisher before grabbing an early morning bite to eat at Hardees.

What I love most about Samantha is her beautiful spirit. She is positive and hopeful. She’s a go-getter. She is a dreamer, which is another way of saying she is faithful. She makes soul connections and believes in what has not yet been manifested. But because she believes, I’m never surprised when her dreams for herself or others come to pass.

She is generous. She cares about people and she helps them, looking for nothing in return. On many occasions, she has challenged me and I have learned from her. She always inspires me.

She is a loyal friend.

In many ways, we are soul twins. We see the world through the same eyes, even though she grew up in Brooklyn, NY and I grew up in the small town of Frederick in western, MD. Our friendship knows no geographic boundaries. We are one in the same. Our friendship reminds me of this quote by Isabel Norton: “In my friend, I find a second self.”

We have shared so many fun moments. We have also been there for each other during life’s tough patches – like divorce or the death of a loved one.

I’m so honored and blessed to call her one of my closest friends. And I hope this milestone year is her very best. I pray that she receives all of the blessings that she so abundantly gives to others. And then some.

Happy Birthday, Samantha! I love you, sis.