I wrote a speech for Stef's 21st and I think I am going to paste that here as her testimonial instead of my usual gibber-gabber nonsense just because I CAN! So, watch this space... :) Ok, here we go, C&P time.... For those of you who don’t know me, I am Justine and I’ve known Stef since she was 15. I think Stef a… Read more

I wrote a speech for Stef's 21st and I think I am going to paste that here as her testimonial instead of my usual gibber-gabber nonsense just because I CAN! So, watch this space... :) Ok, here we go, C&P time.... For those of you who don’t know me, I am Justine and I’ve known Stef since she was 15. I think Stef and I met through IRC in 1999, which these days is a very dangerous thing to do, because the only people that still hang out there are slightly crazy people, like me. I didn’t really know her, but my best friend Gareth liked her and she hung out with my friends, so I pretty much went along with it. I don’t think Stef and I actually spoke until the now-legendary day when we all went for a drive in my ex-boyfriend’s car and Stef decided to stick her face against the car window, like a human Garfield – and stayed like that at a set of robots until she almost caused an accident. I decided then and there that Stef was definitely someone I had to spend a lot more time with! She quickly became the third member of the decidedly mad pairing of myself and Gareth, and injected some much-needed sanity into our manic adventures. In the 6 years that I have known and loved Stef, we’ve shared boyfriends and tragic dating mishaps – like the time I decided to dump someone via SMS and she cheered me on until we both sobered up slightly and realized, far too late, how horribly brutal that was! The guy in question still isn’t speaking to either of us! Stef was also there during the legendary days of 96 degrees, during which time I think her parents probably thought was a very bad influence… I practically kidnapped Stef every weekend and only bought her back home under duress, usually just before school started on Monday morning! Stef has also been there for me during some very bad times, like when Gareth left for London and I cried for 6 months solid and refused to go clubbing, on the grounds that it would sully my memories of him – Stef made me do it anyway and she made sure I had fun. She also listens to all my ridiculous over-analyzing when it comes to men and exercises remarkable restraint when I do exactly the opposite of what she advises and still come running back to her. Surprisingly, she hasn’t resorted to physical violence, but prefers to just ignore my 4am SMS tantrums, which makes me think she’d be a really good mother! We’ve had our ups and downs, the longest lasting about 2 years, and despite my calling her a terrible driver when she started driving, she’s still prepared to hide my keys from me and risk being screamed at to prevent me from killing myself when I drink too much champagne at Purgatory. She also doesn’t seem to mind when I pass out on her bedroom floor, after drinking all her Smirnoff Spins and probably being more than a bit rude to her parents. Stef, you are truly the most amazing friend anyone could ever ask for I am so glad we finally decided to act like adults and that we’re still best friends after all the shit I give you. We’ve been through so much, and shared some of the best times I can remember and I am so glad I can be here on your 21st to celebrate your coming of age with you. You’ve grown up so much in the past 2 years and I know this is only the beginning. Here’s to finally being able to drink in America and get married without your parent’s consent!