We loved living together in college, and laughed more together than I ever had before...and probably didn't get too much studying done in the process. We lived in a pink and brown house on Arctic Circle, which we named, originally, The Arctic House. It had 4 bedrooms, and I think my share of the rent was $275/month.
We dreamed of getting married and having kids one day, but none of us dated much in college, and it seemed like we were all heading our separate ways to great adventures. Sarah was moving to Dallas for nursing school - a pit stop for her until she could move somewhere exotic and tropical. Kristyn was headed to London for at least 6 months to wait tables, Amanda was sticking around for a victory lap year at A&M but we thought she'd more than likely start working full-time at a camp in Tyler, and I had committed to going to Central Asia for at least a year. Marriage didn't seem to be in the picture for any of us.
A year or two later, Amanda was the first to meet her love, Chad. We liked to call him "The Chad," and after putting him through the gauntlet, he passed every test we could give him. He loved Jesus, he loved Amanda and she loved him. Sold. They got married in 2004. The rest of us cheered and devotedly stood by her as she said her "I dos." Here is the 4 of us at her wedding. By this time, I was back in Dallas, Sarah had moved to San Diego, and Kristyn was living in China. I think Sarah was dating someone but he didn't last long. ;)
I'll be honest. It was getting harder and harder to wait for the Lord for marriage. I am grateful for Amanda and Sarah, plus a number of other great friends who had great, godly marriages. I had really good examples of what I wanted to wait for. Don't get me wrong - I loved this season of life. I was in grad school, I was living with 2 great roommates, God was providing incredible opportunities to minister to others and be ministered too. But I still longed to be a wife and a mom. I was constantly encouraged by Psalm 84:11 - "No good thing does He withhold from him whose walk is blameless." Marriage was never to be my ultimate goal, and a husband would never fulfill me. Knowing Christ is my goal, and when I look back to those years, I am immensely grateful for the season of being single, and the longing He allowed me to experience - because He used it to draw me to Himself.
So, we roll on to 2009, springtime. By this time, Amanda and Chad have had a precious little boy, and Sarah and Rob are expecting their first that summer. I remember when Amanda told us she was pregnant, I was thrilled for her - but I said, "Now you're 2 life stages away from me!" Not only was she going to be a momma, but I wasn't even dating anyone. I love my friends, and it was hard to not get to go through those stages of life with them. Kristyn and I were still holding strong, trusting God for the plans He had for our lives.
Much to my sheer delight, one day Kristyn called to tell me that she was going on a date with Randy. Randy...the guy we had hung out with numerous times over the last few years...because he also happened to be Kristyn's older brother's best friend. I couldn't believe it. I had been praying for this for a couple years, and I loved that it was happening. I think they got engaged 2 months after their first date, and got married 2.5 months after that. Since they had known each other since middle school, they didn't see much reason to wait. Randy and Kristyn got married on a ranch in south Texas, at a wedding that fit them perfectly - small, uber-cool and stylish, and with their family and best friends around. Here we are...
But I have to confess, I was a little distracted that weekend...by the man who would become my love. Adam and I had been dating for 3.5 months at that point, and this trip to South Texas was a big step in our relationship. He was going to get to be around Amanda, Sarah, Kristyn and their husbands - who would all need to 'sign off' on any guy I was dating if we would ever be moving towards marriage. Adam was well-loved by all, and 3.5 months later, we were engaged, planning our own wedding.
Spring of the next year. It was Easter weekend, and Adam and I were getting married! These 3 girls were among those who stood by my side as I said yes to this amazing man. I still can't believe how blessed I am.
Fast forward...but not too far. At the end of May, Adam and I received the shock of our lives when we found out we were pregnant! The best and biggest surprise EVER. According to the doctor, our little one would be arriving around February 1st. A week after we found out, Kristyn announced that she and Randy were pregnant, expecting a little one January 26th. That next day I talked to Amanda, and found out they were expecting their second January 27th!
I could not believe it - 3 of us were due with babies within a week of each other. We later found out that all of them would be girls, and we quickly described them as best friends. A few months later, Sarah announced that she and Rob were pregnant too, due in May. I'm still hoping they have a girl.
The four of us got together for some time away in December, 3 of us with big bellies to show off. We talked all about pregnancy, babies, the delivery, labor...conversation that would have been boring, annoying, and gross to anyone who wasn't pregnant. After 6+ years of the 4 of us being in different life stages, it has been so sweet to get to connect with each of them as we have become parents. I have learned from all 3 of them already, and I know that I will continue to learn as the months and years go by.
I am grateful for these sweet friends. I remember praying when I got to college that God would lead me to Christian friends who would encourage and spur me on as I started to walk with Jesus.
I am overwhelmed when I think about how He's answered, not just with these girls but other unbelievably fun, faithful, loving friends as well. And He's continued to bring new friends during different seasons. I know that the way I love my husband and the way I parent our daughter is immeasurably influenced by all of the women whom the Lord has given as friends.
Back to the babies... Kristyn's little girl was the most eager to arrive, entering the world on January 6th. Amanda's munchkin came next, on February 1st. And sweet Peanut was last to the party, coming a few days later.
Here they are at their first play date.
We loved getting our girls together, and I can't wait to watch them grow and change over the years, and tell them stories of the fun and stupid things their moms did together. Who knows? Maybe one day they will find themselves living together in an ugly rent house in college, and later they will stand by each other in matching dresses as they say "yes" to their loves, and then get their little girls together for play dates one day as well.
