Real Kato Blog: Happy Birthday, Jen

I've waited until midnight to post this.

Today, April 20th, is my dear friend Jen's birthday.

Jen and I met in our high school drama club, when she was a sophomore and I was a senior. We were pretty good friends by the end of that year. Actually, I kind of had a crush on her, but I was a stupid geeky high-school kid and I didn't really know how to handle that.

Our friendship continued through college. At the time, I credited Jen for teaching me 90% of what I knew about women. Since then, I've figured out that 60% of what I thought I learned was actually wrong, because Jen wasn't your typical girly-girl. But still, Jen gets credit for, um, 36% of what I now know. And it's the most important 36%, really: what I learned from Jen was that, contrary to what "When Harry Met Sally" might tell you, men and women really can be friends. She opened the door for all the wonderful female friendships I've had since then.

From the shy and bookish teenager that I met in high school, Jen turned into a beautiful and brilliant woman. She's a Ph.D.-toting computer scientist AND the proud mommy of an adorable little boy. Jen, I'm so proud of you. I used to say that you ruined me for all other women, because I compared them all to the high standard you set. But now I can honestly say that you redeemed me for all other women. For that, I thank you, and I love you.

I hope you have the happiest of birthdays!

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