A Toast to Cori in Honor of her Birthday

*taps spoon against glass*

It's crazy to think that only a year ago I was just getting to know Cori. Since then, she has become one of my favorite people on earth. I am fully four years older than her, yet she has taught me so much. She shows me that being strong is not being unfeminine. She taught me that feelings come and go, but truth prevails. I learned from her the importance of knowing what you believe and why you believe it. She is moral but not legalistic, blunt but empathetic, opinionated yet discreet. She's generous, snarky, literate, funny, hard-working and - this is the best part - honest.

When Cori sees something that interests her, she doesn't just say "That's cool"; she learns how to do it. She is possibly the best dancer I know. Her artwork is absolutely amazing. She blacksmiths, people: really well, too. Then there's beekeeping, candy making, gingerbread architecture, choir, guitar, poetry (rhymed poetry!) and many other things I'm sure I'm forgetting. And I know the list will only continue to get longer.

Right now, however, Cori faces some rather more commonplace activities than bee keeping or dancing the Charleston. She's lined up for some college classes, which of course won't be as fun as forging marshmallow roasters. But however ordinary her classes may be, Cori will always be anything but ordinary. Here's to Cori, an amazing individual and a wonderful friend.