Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is my favorite president. I decided this a while ago but it was just reaffirmed by Dorris Kearns Goodwin.
Which leads me to why I'm really writing right now.
Taneesha.
She reminds me of Abraham Lincoln.
Let me explain Taneesha from my perspective-- our friendship.
I ran against Taneesha in a student council election when we were freshmen in High School. I didn't know her but since she wasn't around the other freshmen as much as I was, no one really knew her, they knew me though. That's why I won. But Taneesha was still on council with a different position.
Taneesha and I served on coucil together for my sophomore and junior year. She was my roomie at conventions and did all sorts of planning and activites together.
We didn't really hang out outside of council, but neither of us had much time to do so. She was a great leader. We'd planned to serve together our senior years; her as senior class president; me as student body president.
However, plans change and we eneded up running against eachother for student body president. It caught me off gaurd and I took it personal.
I was hurt bacause I know that us running against eachother would be brutal. It was. Very. Her campaign crew bashed me and vise versa. Things were said, feelings were hurt. She didn't give up. I began to though before the race was even over. It was important to me but I felt like the world was coming down; ripping at the seems.
Taneesha won. I'm glad though. She was the better of us two. I would've done well, don't get me wrong but she did deserve it.
I was bitter for a while but I wont be ever again. The more and more I come to the realization that everything happened cause it was supposed to.
BUT ALSO... onto the fact that Taneesha is like a mini Abe Lincoln.
I dont think I'll ever forget the fact that when they told us the election result and I was sobbing, literally sobbing, Taneesha was the first person to give me a hug, although I wanted to shove her away and throw a temper tantrum, I didnt, I appreciated it. And something that she said that I'll never forget... "Erica, I need you on my council, I'm going to work the white off you, but I want you as my Chief of Staff and you'll be great". She was so rational and so forgiving, she was such a great leader. Just like Abe. Abe had a brutal race for the republican nomination and everyone thought one of the others were going to win, like William H. Seward or Salmon P. Chase but no. Although Lincoln had a lack of experience (unlike Taneesha but anyways) he won (like Taneesha) and he was amazing (like Taneesha) but the part that is most awesome in their similarities that has effected me personally... Abraham still put his previous opponents on his cabinet and they grew to be very fond of Abe and helped him be the great President he was and is still known for today. I'm not saying that I helped to make Taneesha a great Student Body President or anything but I am saying that it takes a great leader to change quickly and forgive easily to do what is good and she did that.
My experiences were extremely influential to who I am today.
I will forever appreciate her friendship and great ability to lead and make someone feel welcome.
She is one of the greatest people I have ever known and I will never forget her.