“Every little girl needs a Calli in her life” – Marlyse Rush 

Marlyse was talking about her 3-year-old daughter, but I can confirm that this is true as another little girl in question. 

I cannot believe that I have only known Calli Thurlow for two years because I can’t imagine what I did before I met her. Who did I send the endless amount of WEIRD reels that I find funny to (and actually asked for me to send them)? Who came to visit me at college when I was in the emotional trenches? Who did I leave in my dorm room for 3 hours while I went to class and didn’t complain? Who did I call when I felt like someone doesn’t like me at school? CALLI!!!!!

Calli has got to be one of my favorite people ever. She’s one of the few friends I have that I can straight up tell her when she’s annoying me, say my unfiltered thoughts that most people would judge me for, and send her 80% of all of the memes I find funny (I laughed while writing that last part). (She’s also the kind of friend who will say the most out-of-pocket thing you’ve heard in your entire life and you just have to sit there like: 😀 for a second AHFADWIAFNWNUEI) 

She works week in and week out to serve others and does it with a smile on her face (despite any contrary thoughts that might be in her head lol). The girl has REAL relationships with the people that she serves in the neighborhoods of New York City and consistently makes people feel cared for and seen. 

Calli has the innate ability to make you feel like you’ve known her for years. She can and will talk to anyone like they are her best friend despite how different they may be from her. One of my favorite things about Calli is that she will not discount anyone as a potential friend just because they look, talk, act, or think differently from her.

Going into my freshman year of college, I tried to emulate that as I was presented with a lot of different social situations and needed the social savviness that she has. I know she’ll probably disagree, but I know that you could put Calli in a room with anyone and she could hold a conversation. Oftentimes during the school year, I thought to myself, “okay, what would Calli do?”. Because I knew that if I did what Calli did then the person I was talking with would probably walk away from the interaction feeling good. I aspire to be more like her in the ways that she makes others feel seen and appreciated. 

Underneath all her talk of the Kardashians, iced lattes, and random ways she tries to make money in NYC (the failed attempt at being an Access-A-Ride driver LOL) is one of the most amazing, beautiful, strong, smart, and selfless people I’ve ever met. Just to be clear, her talk of all those things adds to her greatness, it doesn’t detract. If you ask any of my close friends at college, they can attest that I have mentioned to them “my friend, Calli.” Similar to how we’re supposed to share the Good News, I have to share about my friend Calli because of how big of a blessing she is in my life and how strongly she reflects Jesus in her own unique ways.  

So yes, every little girl should have a Calli/Calli figure in her life. 

Thanks Calli girl for being my friend 🤍 

Happy 24th Birthday