Ties That Bind

One week prior to departing for Hawaii, I snuck off to Dallas, Texas for a little getaway weekend with some of my best girlfriends from college. We have been doing this since 2005, the year we graduated from ACU. While not all seven of us make it each year, due to babies and unique family circumstances, we sure do try our best. (We missed you this year, Jenny!)

These girls . . . Not sure where I would be without them. Truly, they are a gift from a most gracious Father. A gift I treasure and never hold lightly.

A year can pass and we pick up exactly where we left off. No awkwardness. No small talk. Just the real deal.

We spent the weekend laughing, catching up on the past year, sharing deep highs and lows, and indulging in a little R&R (think pedicures and lots of food and lots of lounging). Ashley had the idea to have a favorite things party during our time together, so we did! I walked away with a goodie bag full of awesomeness. Fun was had by all!

These are the ties that bind. Ties that run deep and long and aren't scared off by time or distance or circumstance. Ties that hold hands and say "me, too," and submerge in laughter and wipe tears all within the same breath.

Thank you, Jesus, for these souls.

Souls that love well and love freely.

 . . .

At Chance's funeral service we asked attendees to bring blue balloons to be released at the end, in honor of his short life but also in honor of the focus of our hearts, eternity. And you know what? Friends who couldn't participate in person participated from afar. They bought balloons and released them with their children and sent the videos as a way of solidarity. A way of saying, "I'm with you and have no fear, we will make it through this tragedy."

It was beautiful and amazing and brought sweet tears to my eyes on April 7, 2015. And you know what? They did it again. All of them. This year, on the day of Chance's birth, they paused their lives and bought blue balloons and released them with their families and sent the videos yet again.

There are no words for when one receives texts messages such as the ones below.

Who in your life are you thankful for today?