When God made His rounds doling out gifts and talents to people, I’m pretty sure he passed by Melanie twice. No, scratch that. He passed her by three times, giving her extra things most people don’t have.

Melanie hails from a family of smart people. Really, really incredibly smart people who know a lot of everything there is to know. She’s just one of those girls who can look at something ONCE and have it memorized in its entirety…I was so envious of her brains in high school! I worked my butt off earning straight A’s and, well, she didn’t have to. Melanie just has it like that.

And Melanie can sing. Not like oh-she-should-sing-in-the-church-choir voice, but a real this-girl-needs-a-record-deal voice. She goes on national tours with musical artists, but I can’t wait for the day when she’s not a background vocalist, but the girl whose name is on the tickets!

As an extra dose of goodness, Melanie just happens to be a wonderful friend. She truly knows how to make people stay in touch with each other and she is constantly teaching me how to be a better friend. There are times when I struggle, but she’s patient and kind…which is far more than I ever deserve.