May 31st was a BIG day…our book was released to the world and we decided to CELEBRATE!
Dear friends who prayed for Bennett in the NICU, his teachers/ therapists, our publishing team, friends and family ALL GATHERED to celebrate Bennett’s life- a night we will NEVER forget!
We will also never forget that it was the HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR (i.e. 100 degrees at 6 pm), so we had extra gratitude to ALL for coming out (thus yes, the shiny foreheads are 100% sweat!).
B got to hang out with his beloved teacher Ms. Cathy (who is retired) & Arlene, his school speech therapist he has had since he was 3 yrs old!B’s teachers Mr. Dan, Mrs. Rob, and my dear friend Moira a.k.a. the woman of many talents (i.e. wife/mother of 4/nurse/party planner).Phil, Colleen and Stacy were friends of ours long before any of us had kids and prayed us through our NICU stay at Georgetown…LOYAL friends.“A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” – Proverbs 27:9 –> These four women are that to me and SO much more!Our dear friends Julie and Rob were some of our first friends in Kensington, and now are basically like family to us.Jiggy was Bennett’s ECMO NICU nurse & later my “mommy friend” when we ran into her at a local preschool years later! Kelly was Bennett’s first PT out of the NICU & my high school friend and mentor. These two ladies are GOOD AS GOLD and we were SO honored they came to celebrate with us!The Frye’s are so special to us, always keep us laughing, and we love each other’s kids like our own.Attempting to put together a few words of thanksgiving when looking at a room full of people we LOVE. Tears were definitely shed!“A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden.” Paige, Jen & Sharon are this to me and MUCH more!Nearly 15 years ago our hearts felt like they were being smashed by sledgehammers; and now overflow with gratitude. The Lord has been so faithful.Our publishing team has believed in us from our first paragraph- long before we even had a manuscript. Thank you Ballast Books!
Next up came a book signing at an adorable local boutique shop that my friend owns. I was SO delighted when Caroline asked me to pick a date for our book signing at Pink Dot!
We decided on Friday, June 10th and Caroline graciously offered to donate 20% of all sales that night to Jill’s House, the not-for-profit organization that offers respite to families of kids with disabilities. We were SO touched by her gesture to support both Jill’s House and our book launch! A true honor.
If you have read our book, this is Arlene, Bennett’s beloved buddy. She is one SPECIAL lady and we all adore her!My bible study girl gang surprised me and I almost broke down in tears on the spot. These ladies are TRUE TREASURES!Jenny has been a mentor, friend, and encourager to me since my first year of college at UVA…hugging her MADE my night.
Life is so interesting, isn’t it? We all meet people along our journey – some are there for a specific purpose at only a specific time, and then others reappear further down the road. One of the many things we feel grateful for are the people placed along our paths. Highlighting the GOODNESS of PEOPLE was truly one of the driving forces behind us wanting to write our book.
Yes, we wanted to tell the HOPE story of Bennett’s birth, miracles, and life…and yet we also wanted to share the incredible people who have helped us and encouraged us along the way. Whether it was a fellow NICU parent, a nurse nun showing up in her habit on our doorstep, or beloved family mentors like Bob Scott or Bob Roth; we wanted our book to highlight the GOOD in this world.
Travis and I both agree how fortunate we have been to have such authentic relationships. It really is one of the secrets to life. Let’s all continue to seek out “our people,” pour into them when things intheir lives get hard, allow them to pour into us when we are in need…and embrace the JOY that the messiness of life can bring when we do it together.
I once thought I would spend my life as a working mom and wife, hustling in corporate America while volunteering at both my church and the PTA. Life's numerous curveballs, however, have prompted an evolution: I know consider myself recovering type-A planner.
I am married to my college sweetheart, Travis, and we have three amazing children. Our faith in Jesus is what matters to us the most. Hands down.
When my high school friends voted me "Most Likely to Drive a Minivan," I scoffed and declared that would never happen. Ironically we now own two mini-vans. My favorite one to drive has a ramp for my oldest son Bennett, a quadriplegic. I consider it my greatest honor to chauffeur my three kids around and do life with Travis, my partner in this journey we call life. Our life is not always easy, but it is always beautiful.
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