God's Sweet Blessing of Friendship

In January of 1999, Russ and I moved to Opelika, AL.  He had accepted a position as Youth/College Pastor.  We had been married a little over a year and found out two weeks before the move that we were expecting Jarod.

I cried for days.

I mean seriously. 

Ugly crying.

Russ didn't know what to do with me.  I had never lived far away from my mom - my family - my home.  I was leaving everything I knew - everything familiar and I was so scared. 

I begged God - I mean begged him to give me a friend.  Someone I could confide in - someone who was a kindred spirit.  The very first night we were there - unloading the U-Haul, Karesa stopped by our house with her then 4 year old Kadie.  We hit it off instantly.  The other amazing thing was that Chuck and Russell hit it off as well.

Our friendship grew in the next 3 years. They were what we needed being so far from home. We spent lots of time together - even had a few sleepovers when we lost power or our septic tank backed up.  Oh!  The memories!  And then the day came when they helped us pack and stood in our driveway waving as we drove off to move home to take care of my mom.  More ugly crying. 

Over the next several years, we kept in touch - we went to Disney together, did other vacationing together, and we would travel back to Opelika over the 4th of July to catch up and hang by their pool.  We tried to get together as often as possible but the last few years have been so hard.  Our lives have remained so busy that we could never get our schedules to match.  It has been 3 years since we have physically been together.  

We would chat on the phone and catch up when we could.  Actually Russ and Chuck were soooo much better about it then we girls were.  Sometimes it was all we could do but to keep up through them.  Crazy. 

This past Wednesday night at like 10:00, I texted Karesa telling her I was thinking of her and remembering the times we had been together over the 4th.  I heard back from her immediately saying that Kadie (who is now graduated from High School) was out of town and they had NOTHING to do all weekend - so "COME ON!"

Russ and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

I called her to confirm the invitation.

And by 10:30, I was messaging our cat sitter, Jarod was folding the clean laundry and we were getting ready for a road trip!  Talk about spontaneous!!!

We got so excited it was after 2 before Russ and I fell asleep.  We were up at 7 and packing.

We didn't get to lay by the pool or see any fireworks because of the rain - but we were able to just sit around on their porch and catch up. We played games, laughed and thoroughly enjoyed being together again!

It was a much needed time out of town for us - sometimes we just need to get away and change scenery.  Let our minds forget about the day to day stuff.  Since both the guys are in ministry, we were able to sit and encourage and just love on one another.

We are so thankful for these two.  They are our special gifts from God.  He answered my prayer over 14 years ago by giving me a sweet friend, and blessed us doubly by allowing Chuck and Russ to connect as well.  And you know that it's God when you can pick up right where you left off no matter how long you've been apart!!!

The exciting part is that their oldest daughter, Jessi is getting married in November and both Russ and Chuck will be officiating.  This year, we get to spend Thanksgiving together.  We won't have to wait long at all to be together again!

Thanks Chuck and Karesa for having us!  We love you and can't wait to celebrate your family in November!