the woman is strong, determined, and ready to make her life HAPPEN.

happy birthday vera. it strikes me that it's very fitting that you're turning 30 right now. as more of my friends strike out into their 30s, i'm impressed by the way they wear their age--they take 30 with pride, and seem to stand taller. i hope this birthday fills you with a sense of your own strength and ability, and renews your determination to achieve your goals.

love,
maryann

vera was my first friend in my new life. she made my weekends sparkly right off the bat. she gave me the gift of sharing and listening when i was still trying to figure out if that was an okay thing to ask for. she invited me into her version of san francisco, without reserve, and never complained when i accepted her invitation and asked for more more more more.

vera has a smile that makes you always want to know what she's smiling about. and her eyes smile more than her mouth does most of the time, but then sometimes her mouth smiles too and you know that she just went from happy or amused to deLIGHTed. it's a good goal--trying to get vera to smile with her mouth. sometimes you can even make her laugh. and when she does it makes you feel GREAT.

vera does color really really really really really really really really well. i think she's maybe tired of hearing me say this, but it's true. her clothes and her house and her car and her hoops are all proof of her indefatigable sense of sense of color.

vera is so good at writing english that it makes me want to never ever even TRY to study a foreign language.

vera is one of the most honest people i know. she is honest about herself, and she is honest about me. sometimes her honesty makes me angry, but even when i'm totally infuriated about something she's said i am still grateful to her for speaking what she sees to be truth.

vera is fun and fantastic and i am glad she is still my friend.

Its been way to long sense I have talked to this girl. And its been even longer sense I’ve let her put on my box. This chick is one of a kind in ways I didn’t know were possible. She kicks major ass and can defiantly party harder then I can. I hope to see her again soon.

wouldn't be a party without her and her hooping friends; always fun to see you out Vera!

If i was going to create a cartoon, it would be Vera.