Old Friends

You know those old friends who you haven't seen in years but never forget because they meant so much to you?  We got a visit from some this past weekend.  When I was in high school, my dad the minister moved churches a couple of times, and our family had to move with him.  Luckily, only one of these moves involved me changing schools.  My dad became the pastor at a little church in Selma, NC (antique capital of the world, folks) when I was in the 12th grade.

When I met this girl, she was only 14 years old.  She's four years younger than me.  

This was her high school graduation about 4 years later.  One of the few pictures I had already scanned in of us.  

She's sweet and quiet but don't let that fool you.  She'll make you laugh if given the chance.

I became a kind of leader for the youth at this small church and invited some of the girls over for a sleepover.  The first girl, Rebecca, is teaching school and married; the little girl, Anna, is about to graduate from college and was one of my brightest Sunday School children; and Amanda is grown up and married.  I feel so old!  And that's my adorable little Jingles who you can see on my sidebar.  

I met her older sister, April, a few weeks later when this little guy was born...

Yep, I met this guy, Joshua, on the day he was born.  He's pretty special and will always have a place in my heart.

And what a character!

April, Amanda, and I worked together on many church projects through the years while I was in college.  This was a vacation bible school we organized.  Yes, that's Joshua again.  We also taught children's Sunday School and Children's Church and put on a great Christmas program.  

Now the little guy looks like this and is entering high school.  What?  That's insane.  He's almost the same age Amanda was when we met!

Amanda and her husband and Joshua were in Concord for the weekend at a local Great Wolf Lodge and stopped by for a visit.  Amanda is also an awesome Aunt and took her favorite nephew to this great place.  

Evan hadn't seen her since he was a tiny baby, but he knew she gave him his favorite teddy bear.  So glad we got to see them and hope it's not so long next time!  P.S. - Don't you love Joshua's shirt?  Told ya he was awesome!

This was the first time Amanda and Evan met.  It was his first Easter, and he was only a few weeks old. 

Amanda and I were in each other's weddings and saw each other through some big events and tough times.  We worked at the same first job together at Chick-fil-a.  She met her husband, Joey, there.  It's so great catching up with old friends!