Francesca Day

Today, friends, is not only Glenn Close’s and Bruce Willis’ birthday, but also our dear, dear friend, Francesca’s. (I’m kicking myself that I do not have any of my yearbooks or photos to share...payback, friend!)

To say Francesca loves her birthday is an understatement. If she could, I’m pretty sure she would try and have it made into a national holiday, like Maritime Day. In high school, a month before her birthday, she would bring us little booklets known as the “countdown calendars.” These were to be used as a reminder that her birthday was approaching. A week or so before her birthday, notes like “Have you purchased Francesca a gift yet?” would appear on every page until her birthday arrived.

No, I’m not kidding.

Francesca and I go waaaay back. To be honest, I don’t think we got along when we first met in Brownies, but I tolerated her painfully similar attributes. For Christmas, Fran was appointed my secret Santa. This was the turning point in our relationship, at least for me. Even though I hated the owl bank she gave me, I felt it was a peace offering. We have been good friends ever since.

We all know that Francesca dreams of being a back-up dancer for Britney. This could very well stem from her early acting and dance career. Francesca always played the lead in many of our community plays. She was Clara in The Nutcracker, while I was a Russian dancer. She was a princess in The Nights of Scheherazade, and I was a rock, who later turned into a servant or townsperson. (Again, I’m not joking.) I suppose Frannie has always had that “IT” factor they talk about.

My wish for Francesca this year is for her to take it easy and live out her back-up dancer dream. Perhaps I’ll write a compelling letter to Oprah and, with some luck, maybe this will be her year to be, as Oprah says, “Your best you.”

You’re the best, Frannie. Happy, Happy Birthday and Congratulations on getting your MBA!!! Woo-Hoo!

-Kacey

Update: Please check out Keri's post today. She was able to get the high school photos I so desperately wanted!