laura (nee s.) b.

I want to create a series of posts in which I highlight my friends. Nothing intense nor too trip-down-memory-lane-ish. Just a quick anecdote that comes to mind when I think of them. 

I want to start of with my friend Laura.

Also, just to avoid confusion, I have 2close friends with the same initials: L.B. Hell, not even the same initials, but the same first name: Laura. The Laura I am referring to here is from graduate school. The B. is actually a result of her marriage, so I'm also referencing her maiden name as clarification, hence the (nee s.) above. 

That's probably way more explanation than necessary. Sorry about that.

Now, no one else get the same name/initials. kthxbai.

Back in the summer of 2009, Laura, having recently graduated with her masters, was job hunting in the barren wasteland that is Oxford, Ohio as her husband took one final year to finish up his degree. One Friday, during happy hour at 3Trees, Laura and I were sitting across from each other at a large clustering of tables. There were maybe 8people in attendance.

I received a text message and noticed that it was from Laura. With some confusion - I mean, she was sitting right there - I opened the message. It read: I got a job!

I look up to see her smiling at me.

I reciprocate the smile and - still confused - ask aloud, "Is this a secret?" at which point the table's conversation descends on my seemingly random question. [No, it wasn't a secret.]

And thus, the group had something new to which to drink that afternoon.

I don't know why, but I love that she shared her news that way. Bravo, Laura.