John Cena, Buffalo Wild Wings, & Nikki

Nicole and I met in high school. We had some mutual friends, but hadn’t really talked a bunch since she was a few grades younger than me. Nikki is great at building bridges though and decided to just talk to me on one afternoon when we ran into each other during lunch. She asked me my name and then handed me her cell phone. And that was that. We became friends.

The social butterflies that both of us are, we frequently would FaceTime and catch up on life and John Cena (Nikki’s absolute hero). I couldn’t be more grateful that Nicole was brave and bold that one afternoon we became friends, because she is one of the most unconditionally supportive people I have in my life. When I called her to tell her I was working at a place she loved, GiGi’s Playhouse, she was ecstatic for me! When I showed up to one of the programs she participates in, she showed me love and support and that my presence mattered.

Recently, I called her to tell her about my day, and showed her a piece I had written for GiGi’s. Nikki took the time to read the entire thing on our call, and I think about every few seconds she stopped to tell me how well I had done. I was valued and loved by her unconditionally.

“I love spending time with Abi because we can hang out and go places. I hope we can hang out soon at Buffalo Wild Wings!” -Nikki

GenerationG is a conscious decision to be better every day: to be more accepting, generous, and kind. Nikki demonstrates all of these things in abundance in our friendship as she calls me just to tell me that she misses me or reminds me that I am so loved. She challenges me to be better every day, to be more like her in her bold, beautiful love.

-Abi Bradshaw