Thank You For Being A Friend

We have a style dress for the bridesmaids! I understand we had a tie between two dresses that the bridesmaids liked and Cristina, the maid of honor, broke the tie. Style F14867, long sheer chiffon dress with beaded neckline won the vote! I love how the girls all tried the dresses on and took pictures to show you what they looked like. The girls will be gorgeous in them. Now it is just a matter of sizing and ordering for each of them. They will look lovely standing on the deck off the Manatee River as witnesses to your wedding.

Your Daddy and I were talking about how each girl has had such an impact in your life. I love that each will be wearing a different color, but all will be wearing the same style. To me it compliments your relationship with them. They all have the same special place in your heart, but each one became a friend with you on this journey of life in different locales, has a different personality and has made sweet memories with you. Lindsey as the precious cousin from Iowa you grew up with as two "squirrels in a pot;" Rebecca, your middle school through senior year buddy from Wisconsin; Mary, Emily and Shay, all college friends and roommates that you met in Charlotte; and Cristina your bestie whom you met in Rhode Island. Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times," and I know how much you love these girls and how much they love you. You have personal jokes and stories about each one. I love that they will represent all those different phases of your life. It was similar with me at our wedding with my cousins I grew up with, a childhood friend, penpal and precious sister as my bridesmaids.

You are not done making friends, that I guarantee. You have already added Lindy and Erica to your list of good buddies that you've met in Florida. And there will be many, many more to come, each that will play a part in your life. And more for Rob also. And adventure of new friendships awaits. And the best way to make friends is to be a friend. So I know you both will have them in abundance. This moment with your bridesmaids and groomsmen will be the starting point of a grand new adventure together in friend making. But the best part is, the ones you have, aren't going anywhere.

Discussion: Talk about the different people you've befriended throughout your lives and what they mean to you? What characteristics do you look for in your friends?

Prayer: Lord we thank you for the souls you've had us cross paths with on this journey of life. May we, Father, reach out in love to new friends around us and love them with the love you show us. In Jesus, Amen.