week eight: current coworkers (for two more days)*

50/365. Katherine (S.) P. (2005-present)
You were the very best intern I ever could have asked for, and I probably would have quit my job if not for you.

51/365. Angela (K.) D. (2007-present)
I sang at your wedding before I knew you; now you greet me by first and last name. Enjoy your new desk toy!

52/365. Kendra (I.) (2003-present)
I think you're adorable in every way, and I've really loved getting to know you through your hilarious personality. I'll miss singing with you!

53/365. Leslie (H.) (2005-present)
I used to be afraid of you. But I'm glad we got to be friends, and I'm sorry I won't sell you my stuff :)

54/365. Beth G. (2005-present)
I still can't believe we never met as students. After everything you've gone through, I admire your strength more than I can ever express.

55/365. Maureen E. (2003-present)
You may not believe me: I'm so grateful for all your leadership, guidance, and (especially) friendship. Thank you for all you've done for me.

56/365. Melanie C. (2005-present)
When I was an intern, you were the only one from "next door" who always smiled at me. Thanks for making me feel welcome.

*25x365 is posted every Tuesday... except during the month of April since I was too busy, and except for today since it is Wednesday.

week seven: mistakes*

43/365. Leo H. (2002)
Met at a party, said you liked my hair. Went outside to your truck and played guitar. Years later, I'm glad I was smart.

44/365. Eric Mc. (1998-2003)
Said you loved me in my scrubs - we were on-and-off for years. I came home for break, found out you'd been engaged all along.

45/365. Tommy R. (2006-2007)
Most beautiful man I've ever been with. We had fun, but you weren't very good for me. Then you played me for Angelina Jolie.

46/365. Lawrence U. (2005)
One misguided date, months of emailing out of obligation. We weren't right - not even as friends. Should have stopped it when we were civil.

47/365. David G. (2002)
She thought we'd work because we're both singers, but she couldn't have been more wrong. Wish I never gave you the time of day.

48/365. Marc M. (2006)
We fell fast, heavy - I secretly believe we were perfect together. Still don't know what made you quit me, but you shattered my heart.

49/365. Dante D. (2003)
Random hookup at a party - you were my biggest regret for a long time. Had to ask your roommate your name the next day.

*25x365 is posted every Tuesday.

week six: loves of my life*

36/365. Michelle (W.) H. (2003-present)
We had an inexplicable bond that often surprised me. I admired your free spirit, and I think you rubbed off on me... just enough.

37/365. Jen (Z.) W. (2001-present)
You taught me about so many pretty indulgences and redefined how to have fun. You called me Beckles - I giggled. My creative pace setter.

38/365. Annie D. (2001-present)
Without a doubt - my lifelong muse. Inspiration. You helped me grow in a way I still don't understand. I think we needed each other.

39/365. Bridget N. (2001-present)
My most beautiful friend in so many ways. You changed my life everyday - helped me grow to love myself. You're necessary to my existence.

40/365. Kelli (K.) R. (2001-present)
I feel like you really believe in me. Effortless. You make me feel like a better person than I think I could ever be.

41/365. Brandy H. (2002-present)
My soul-mate if I were ever to say I had one. We've been tested several times - I think we're like phoenixes. We'll always rise.

42/365. Phil S. (2002-present)
Pearl Jam brought us together - never could have guessed you'd become such an influence in my life. I know you'll always be my favorite.

*25x365 is posted every Tuesday.

week five: high school teachers*

29/365. Mr. John G. (1994-2001)
You taught me so much more than how to play clarinet. I felt like I could identify with you... I still feel like that.

30/365. Mrs. Sandra K. (1995-2001)
You know I always loved you the best. My mom says you still ask about me... you're what every teacher should aspire to be.

31/365. Mr. Richard D. (1994-1997)
You had a song for everything. I made fun of you for it then, but I remember just about everything you ever taught me.

32/365. Ms. Sandra B. (1996-1997)
Fun, innovative, unique - the first person to say I should become a writer. I hope I can credit you in a novel one day.

33/365. Miss Linda B. (1997-2001)
You said I wasn't good enough to major in music, and I always resented you for that. But now I think you were right.

34/365. Mr. Brett W. (2000-2001)
You were fresh out of college and my favorite teacher. You made everything into something we could relate to and often quoted Star Wars.

35/365. Mr. Robert K. (1997-2001)
You had African clawed frogs in your tanks and said you were a virgin till you were 40. I learned a lot that year.

*25x365 is posted every Tuesday... except for this week, since it's Thursday.

week four: cousins*

22/365. Marty N., Jr. (1982-present)
We hung out a lot when you were on Navy leave - now you're gone again, and I miss having a cousin I actually know.

23/365. Andrew Mc. (1993-present)
You and Jimmy never talk to us at holidays... and we're strangely okay with that. It's awkward: we say hello, goodbye, and nothing else.

24/365. Jimmy Mc. (1995-present)
We used to love playing together years ago. Now I think you're standoffish... at best. But so am I, so I guess it's okay.

25/365. Morgan S. (2001-present)
From the start, you latched onto me more than anyone else in the family. You're the reason I occasionally entertain the notion of motherhood.

26/365. Ryan S. (2006-present)
You're quite possibly the most well-behaved baby in the history of procreation. We're all glad that your sister won't become (more) spoiled now.

27/365. Michael W. (1985-1987)
Just one memory - you've always been a mystery. Someday I'll find you... we'll connect and be real cousins. You'll have a whole new family.

28/365. Billy N. (1989-present)
We haven't said more than a handful of words to each other our entire lives. I'm embarrassed about that... I wish I knew you.

*25x365 is posted every Tuesday.

week three: old girlfriends*

15/365. Lindsay (S.) E. (1994-present)
Friends forever, sad that we've grown apart. Every time I think to call, I get second thoughts... wonder if it's the same for you.

16/365. Brienne (S.) M. (1993-present)
Love that we can continue like we never missed a beat. Hope you don't hold it against me that I haven't visited Seamus yet.

17/365. Gretchen (G.) B. (1995-2003)
You/our friendship gave me a lot of issues about myself. I do miss you, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to start over.

18/365. Heidi (G.) H. (1995-2002)
Loved seeing you at Bri's wedding last year. I wonder if we can pick up where we left off. I'd like to think so.

19/365. Becky V. (1994-2002)
We had matching band shirts and passed poems in class. Wrote a song about Mario... we were so dumb. But dammit we had fun.

20/365. Brianne (B.) B. (1996-2002)
We met over a shared hatred of Mrs. Beamer and then tormented Mr. Campbell. Now you're married with a daughter... thank goodness for MySpace!

21/365. Michelle B. (1994-2001)
So independent at your house. We used to love it, but now I know why. Whatever you're doing now, I honestly hope you're happy.

*25x365 is posted every Tuesday.

week two: high school boys*

8/365. Tim S. (1994-2005)
I always liked you more than I should. Best friends, even through separate colleges, now it's just quiet tension... if it's anything at all.

9/365. Jeremy D. (1994-2001)
I liked you after I read your story in 8th grade English. You asked me to our prom; I said no. I was scared.

10/365. Chris M. (1996-2003)
Coolest (and cutest) guy in school - felt so good to really be your friend. I hated when girls used me to get to you.

11/365. Tony K. (1996-2004)
We danced together in show choir; you asked me to your senior prom. I said no before I knew we'd be neighbors in college.

12/365. Doug W. (1998-2001)
Locker buddies, passing notes, shy smiles - fast friends but hated your sister. I always thought you were sweet; now you're pretty much an Adonis.

13/365. Sean M. (1996-present)
Experienced everything new with you. Then you liked my friend, so I had a party... you moved away together, got married, had a baby.

14/365. Chris S. (2000-2005)
Dated my friend. Even though technically I was the third wheel, she didn't know it was really her. I never told... neither did you.

*25x365 is posted every Tuesday.

week one: family*

1/365. Kim S. (1982-present)
Your love will always be the biggest inspiration in my life. I hope I grow up to achieve all that you want for me.

2/365. Greg S. (1982-present)
I'd be lost without you in my life. Selfless, giving, hilarious - my rock on so many occasions. My hero and love of a lifetime.

3/365. Tim S. (1987-present)
I love few things as much as you - watching you grow, mature, become a man so much like Dad but so much your own.

4/365. Jen M. (1982-present)
I miss you since you moved to Tennessee - come back! Definitely my favorite aunt, but I hardly think of you as an aunt anymore.

5/365. Jim Mc. (1993-present)
We don't like each other, but we pretend well. Except for three Easters ago when you insulted me - I cried, cursed you, left early.

6/365. Peggy N. (1982-present)
I've always wanted us to be like a fairytale: stories, bonding, laughing, sharing. But I like what we are instead - comfortable, friendly, honest. Loved.

7/365. Marty N. (1982-present)
I used to think you didn't really like me - just the grandsons. Now I think we're both just uncomfortable together... hardly know each other.

*25x365 is posted every Tuesday.

25 x 365

Over the last few months, I've come across many blogs featuring a (#) x 365 category. Through some reading and research, I discovered the source of the project, and I fell in love. For weeks I made a mental list of all the people I could write about, and I decided that I'd join the ranks on my next birthday. Well, November came and went... and then so did December, January, and most of February. Needless to say, I forgot about the super cool idea that I once loved.

I was reminded of it once again when I noticed a new tab on Being Thirty. So now, more than three months after my 25th birthday, I'm finally going to jump in.

Starting next week, every Tuesday I'll be posting one week's worth of 25-word stories about 365 people I've met, one for every day of my 25th year of life (plus about three months of my 26th year).

You can join me and people all over the world here: http://www.x365.org/