My friend Kim Callahan (nee’ Nemmers) was one of the very first people I met when I stumbled in the hallowed halls of Dowling High School.  She was brassy, abrasive and took no guff from anyone. I worshipped her. She was also part of the cool click of 15-year old girls who ruled the school. Think “Pink Ladies” … except they were all blonde. Girl Power meets Aryan Nation meets Heathers.

Kim and I hung out all through high school and then through college. We shared a lot of bad fashion together. Tragic fashion, really. But she was always there for me, ready with a harsh dose of reality or snippy aside that kept me in line. I was always the goody-two shoes. She was the free spirit. She did as she pleased and if you didn’t like it, tough.

Kim once got pulled over by a state trooper for speeding while driving her convertible Mustang. (Yes, again, so much cooler than my used Cavalier.) Kim was so incensed about the inconvenience, the trooper actually told her to “lose the attitude, missy!” She rolled her eyes and huffed and puffed on her cigarette for extra moxie.

Everyone needs a Kim in their life. That one person who is fearless … a person who takes no prisoners … a person who says whatever she wants and doesn’t blame Tourette’s. How Kim has managed never to be punched in the face is totally beyond me. For several years, she was a concierge at a fancy-schmancy boutique hotel in Chicago. I’m sure she scored her guests the best reservations and most exclusive tickets. How? I don’t know, she’s just Kim and she doesn’t take no for an answer.

We’ve shared an awful lot of adventures together. We’ve visited France and managed not to kill each other. We’ve trail blazed through all of our high school reunions. We’ve gone to see “Oprah” together in Chicago. The topic? “Household Items That Can KILL You.”  Kim told the person sitting next to us that this was a stupid show. Turns out that woman had been hospitalized for licking an iguana. Color Kim unimpressed.

As she’s matured, she’s gotten less salty and much more subdued. Motherhood has mellowed her. She’s also been married to her husband Bill for 10+ years. His calm disposition and tenacity has kept their marriage rock solid. Well, that and he adores her and vice versa.  I went to their wedding … it was lovely. For one day Hurricane Kim was downgraded to a mere tropical storm.

Kim turned 40 last week. I know that because I always tell Kim she’s considerably older than me, even though our birthdays are only 16 days apart. Bill had all of Kim’s friends send HIM cards. He then gave her nearly 100 cards sent from all over the U.S.

Best. Idea. Ever.

See that look she has on her face … that’s a genuinely happy smile. It happens from time to time. And it’s bound to happen again after she reads this blog. (If not, however, it’s been nice knowing all of you. I’ll see you at that big Writer’s Workshop in the sky.)