2005: Dear Ellie Wanninger, Amelia and Alayna choose a stellar first best friend

Dear Ellie,

I’m not sure of the exact moment when Amelia and Alayna met you but it all began in 1st grade.  Often described as their “triplet” you three were quite the force. I just wanted you to know that I’m really grateful that you came into their life.

It’s tricky for twins, and perhaps twin girls especially, to navigate finding “best” friends beyond the ultimate best friend they will always be for each other.  Even at age six you knew how to support them together and individually.  Over time, sleepovers may have included both, or either one of them alone -you just really helped them to normalize the idea they were individuals who could share a beloved friend together or apart.  A real gift.

I will forever picture the three of you in the school library dutifully working through the infamous ISM day planner insisting on using just the right marker color for each assignment.  Occasionally you would break from your “little exec in training” mode with that infectious giggle and the entire crew would regress to a ball of laughter, pink jackets and snacks from the vending machine.  At the end of the day, the most pressing question was whose house you all would continue the party at after school.

Just a heartfelt woo hoo mama Wannie type of thank you for touchstone you have been throughout their entire lives so far.

Love,

Mama Simonds

aka Annie Hoagland