Our Freshman year was one that began with summer band in August. We had an ice cream social to break the ice with the new guy and the band. It was fun, but we still weren't sure what to make of this man. Mr. Wright was fresh out of college and had never taught before. After meeting this new band director, we decided to test him a bit. He passed our little test of patients and soon began being a favorite teacher! We had 3-a-days in August about two weeks before school started to practice for the marching contest that would be coming up in October. We learned to play songs from the new Disney movie "Beauty and the Beast." After school, we both rode the bus home, but we lived on different ends of town, so we usually didn't see each other again until the next day. The next morning before school, we would catch up on what excitement that the previous night provided at our houses and then off to band. We had a few classes together through out the day. Then at lunch we would again either go to The Beaver Hut or to The Eagle's Nest. It was quite a long walk to The Beaver Hut but The Eagle's Nest was just across the street. I got involved with a boy and had a steady boyfriend for most of my freshman year, while Ginny concentrated on school and home life.

The rest of our 8th grade year at Sanfor-Fritch Jr. High was filled with building our friendship. Usually at lunch we would walk to a place called The Beaver Hut. I remember so many days sitting at that round wooden table with Ginny and some other girls and having corndogs and french fries. More than one time we would discuss religion and life. It seems strange now looking back at those days and realizing that our days were just counting down. In January I had a "black and white" themed birthday party. Because of the religion in her home, we just asked if Gin could spend the night at my house. She got to come over and we began one of those nights that silly girls have at slumber parties. I had my mom get me a cake that was a black and white checkerboard pattern. I served coke and sprite because they were black and white. We didn't do decorations, so that was the extent of my black and white party. Gin thought that was the funniest thing ever! Since I had moved to Fritch so recently, I still thought I could get away with certain things. Late that night we decided to get up the courage to call the boys that we liked and tell them. First we called the boy that I liked and asked if he liked me and he said no. We told him that I liked him. Next we called the boy that Ginny liked. She didn't have the guts to say anything so we all giggled and then hung up! We regrouped ourselves and decided to try again. Again, we chickened out! One more time! This has to be it! Okay, so we call him and she throws the phone at me I said, "Is this *******?" "Yes" "Oh, well do you know Ginny Martin?" "Yes." "So do you like her?" "No." "Oh, well she likes you!" "okay." "So, what do you think?" "About what?" "Ginny likes you!" "oh, so." Then I hung up and she got on top of me and started beating me up! LOL! Wow! I was a mean girl! She had a very hard time going to school on Monday and facing this boy and did she ever let me know! So the rest of the school year was filled with lots of school activities and we ended that year with our 8th grade promotion. It was a really cool day for us! Ginny was first in our class and got to give a little speech. Summer came and we only talked on the phone because she was busy with family life and I was just sheltered. One day that I will never forget changed everything for our little town. On the evening of June 27, 1992 an F4 tornado ripped through Fritch, Texas taking with it many homes and memories. One house that was demolished was the home of the Martins. I remember going out there with my parentals and seeing that she had lost everything. They soon got a new modular home and were able to settle in. These days were on going days of learning about our deepest and darkest secrets that will probably go with me to the grave. Gin and I had a lot of problems. That was just part of our bond. Right before school started our freshmen year the town hosted a "tornado bowl" to raise money to help the victims of the tornado. I got to go, but I don't remember if Ginny did. In July of 1992 we got letters in the mail notifing us of a new band director. Since Gin played the French horn and I the clarinet, we got on the phone and were discussing this "new" band director. Her and I were both upset that Mr. Urie had left and weren't sure what to make of the new guy!

I remember the day that I met Ginny Martin like it was yesterday. It was November of 1991. I had just moved to Fritch and it was my first day at a new school-Sanford-Fritch Jr. High. My first hour class was athletics and I was very nervous because I didn't know anyone. This tall pretty, but rather tough looking girl came up to me and stuck out her hand to shake mine. "Hi! My name is Ginny Martin! You must be Courtney Smith! You are my new best friend" Wow! This girl was really something! My first thought was really that of relief because I knew instantly that she was right. We were best friends! That day after athletics Ginny told me that she would be gone the next week because she raced motorcycles in motorcross and she would be competing. So we began a friendship that would carry us to the last day of her life and will carry me to the last of mine. Yes she is gone, but the way she took me under her wing that first day of school meant the world to me! Thank you Gin for making yourself my best friend! Love ya!