My Favorite Fonte (Sharkey)

Disclaimer:  I did not take this photo, I stole it from her facebook page because it fit so perfectly, and her makeup looks fantastic.  We look out for each other like that.   So credit for the pic goes to Nancy, Cousin Betty, Mama Fonte, or whoever else was having lunch with her on that birthday.

Today's post was going to be about New York and the BlogHer conference finally, and I still may post about that today.  But first I want to talk about one of my favorite people, Vicki instead, because I just talked to her, it's her birthday, and I just heart her. 

I met Vicki my first year teaching in Wisconsin.  She transferred from another school around Octoberish because we were adding another classroom of kindergarteners.  We immediately bonded over being lost in the sauce.  She was a little lost at a new school with a totally different curriculum, and I was just well...lost in general.  We would flop into each other's rooms after the kids had left, leaving the lights off so as to be left alone, where we could admit that we hadn't a clue what we were doing.

Our mutual confusion turned into true friendship, and the conversations with lights off and doors locked turned into a time to vent, gossip, and share life over lots of laughs, quite a few tears, and even more tootsie rolls.  My phone would eventually ring way past the time I should've been home.  It was usually Mr. Ladd wondering if I was still alive.  I would text him back, "talking to Fonte" (her last name at the time), and he immediately knew he was on his own for dinner. 

Vicki, short for Vittoria (how fabulously Italian is that?), is one of those people that is liked by everyone.  She has an unmistakable cackle that can be heard for miles around, which is the most genuine expression of fun on the planet.  I tease her about her Catholic guilt, and depression era spending habits, but those things are bundled up in humility, her genuine interest in others, and her selfless giving to those she loves.  She and I joke that she is "the nice one," and it's true.  She is constantly giving the benefit of the doubt, and makes me want to be a better friend, better family member, better teacher, and quite frankly Italian.

She has since married a fantastic guy, and her last name is Sharkey now, but she is still Fonte in my phone.  We are Fonte and Ladd.  We even look alike.  And although we no longer teach together or even live in the same state, we always pick up right where we left off.  She is the one I call from New York when I am too excited to sleep after seeing a Broadway show.  She's the one I sneak an early morning breakfast in with when I'm back home visiting, because I know she wakes up early and we must hang out.  She's the one I purposely wait to call until I have lots of laundry to fold so we have adequate time to catch up.

So, Happy Birthday Fonte!  You are a gem, and I am privileged to call you friend.  Now go splurge on a pedicure for crying out loud!