You might call me the country mouse, and Jane the city mouse - yet we're best friends. We're both thirty-nine now, but we met in grade school. As soon as I saw her sweet, freckled face, I knew that we would get along, but what cemented out friendship was surviving our fifth grade teacher.

The woman was a typical, old-fashioned schoolmarm, who tolerated nothing less than a pin-drop quiet classroom and our complete attention. Jane and I suppressed our giggles during class until we met up later during recess. Taking turns doing impressions of our teacher made us dissolve into fits of laughter.

In high school, we were the school's first majorettes. Jane was an especially talented twirler. As college roommates, we attended all kinds of fun functions. I'll never forget the luaus and dances. For Spring break one year, we went to Daytona Beach, where we colored our hair pink and sang karaoke Madonna.

But after graduation, Jane and I went separate ways. She moved to Atlanta to pursue a career in business. I married and moved back home. While my husband and I were blessed with three children who we raised in our small town, Jane enjoyed big city life and world travel.

It's been over twenty years since we left school and, despite our different lifestyles, Jane and I are as close as ever. There are long phone conversations and frequent visits. When Jane comes to town, we sometimes see that now much older teacher in church. During the service, we sit a little straighter in the pew and laugh like kids afterward.

My children love Jane. She's a super-fun godmother and has been involved in their lives from the time they were born. And Jane remains a sensitive and caring friend to me. She's there to share the good times with and, more importantly, I can count on her when the going gets rough. Her love and support helped me through the worst experience of my life, losing my second child in an accident.

I have gathered lots of pictures through the years - from all the way back to my elementary school days with Jane. This year, for our birthdays, I put them together in Picaboo books. The Photo Books are a great way to honor our special friendship.