Monday, January 18, 2010

Friends are Friends Forever

Well, it's been about a month since our friends, Ryan and Alycia, moved away. They were in town this weekend taking care of some things and we got to visit with Alycia and Alex at church on Sunday. It's been different not having them here. Yet, how we met in the first place is different too.

Some of you may know this already so indulge me. Here's how we met. Alycia and I were pregnant with our boys at the same time, and ended up in the same childbirth class. I'll never forget that day. We were at the very first class, and everyone in the room had to give their "stats"...due date, what you were having, what you did as a job, etc. Alycia and I both said the same thing...."I'm due January 5th, I'm having a boy, and I'm a teacher." As soon as we had a break, we made a bee-line for each other and started talking. We all sat together the rest of the class, and for the rest of the sessions. We also took a hospital tour together, which was the last class. I remember telling Buddy on the way home, "They sure are a nice couple...too bad we'll never see them again." Little did I know.

Fast-forward to March 2008. My maternity leave was over and I was taking Quinn to daycare for the first time. I remember looking around the room and seeing other babies there, but one baby seemed "familiar" to me. How can a tiny baby that I've never seen before seem familiar? A few days later I got my answer. As I was getting into my car after dropping Quinn off, I saw a man get out of his car and I thought, is that the guy from childbirth class? That afternoon, I pointed to a cute little redheaded baby and asked the teachers what is mother did for a living. When they said she was a teacher, I knew. I left a note for Alycia in Alex's diaper bag with my phone number, and the rest is history.

We spent that summer getting to know each other better and for the boys to have play dates. I invited them to our church, and they eventually became members. Quinn and Alex got to play together almost every single day of the week, between daycare and nursery at church. You never saw one without the other. Then the twosome became three, when Alex's brother Joseph was born last April. Quinn also got to go play with Alex on Monday nights since their house was right down the street from our fire station.

This past fall, Ryan was offered a great opportunity with his job that has moved them about three-four hours away. We all miss each other so much, but they have moved to the same area as Buddy's sister, so we will still get to see each other...just not as much. I am so happy for the opportunities the Lord is giving our friends, especially Alycia, who now gets to be a stay-at-home momma!

Here are a few pictures of Quinn, Alex and Joseph.

This was October 2008...the first trip to the pumpkin patch.



This was April 2009...Easter Egg Hunt at our Pastor's house. Joseph was just a few days away from making his entrance.



April 2009....Quinn meets Joseph! Alex was with his grandparents this night.



Halloween 2009....SuperMan and a Super Saint Bernard! On a funny note, do you remember when I wrote about Quinn outgrowing his Halloween costume? Well, Joseph wore the dragon costume this year! He outgrew his original costume too!


And throughout this post, I'm reminded of lyrics from a song made famous by Michael W.Smith.

Friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
and a friend will not say never
because the welcome will not end.
Though it's hard to let you go,
in the Father's hands we know
that a lifetime's not too long....to live as friends!

5 comments:

Pam said...

Aw, that is sweet. Friendships like that are rare...I have had a few myself, and each time it was heartbreaking when we had to part. The last time was in Guam, and our friends had been hesitant to form that close bond, because they had a couple years on us, and were afraid of experiencing that pain once again. Each time is more difficult. They are in Indonesia now, but I can't tell you what I would give for them to live next door to us.

I had always assumed that you had chosen the same daycare. It was the Lord's will that you remain friends!

Diane Teague said...

Sweet. We miss them also.

Heather said...

I never heard this story...thanks for sharing

Kim said...

Sweet post! It is different now to see Quinn without his buddy, Alex at church.

I know your family friendship will remain no matter the distance.

Unknown said...

Kimberly, I had not read this post until today. It has been a long time since I have blogged. Thanks for sharing that story. I miss you so so much. I love that song by Michael W Smith too. Thanks for reminding me all we have been trough as our children grow up! See you soon! I promise!