Nuestros Amigos

Last night, my wife and I, returned from a friends' house. We had originally planned to eat dinner and learn some dance steps (because every get-together in Colombia needs to include dancing:). As it turned out, we had some sushi and talked into the early morning. We laughed together and enjoyed time with our friends.

I think it was the wasabi, or it could have been nostalgia, but I couldn't help but think about the many wonderful meals Liz and I have shared with friends in the past. I thought about Todd and Cat and how we had countless nights of close fellowship. I thought of Taylor, Andrew, Bud, Brandon, and the rest of the Gaston boys with whom I shared many meals. They are now growing into Godly men. I thought of Vic and Candy and how they showed, by their actions, how a marriage should be founded and continue to grow.

I remembered my college buddies who stood by Liz and I through dating, engagement, and marriage. I thought of Jay and Darci and how they always have a meal with us when we visit after months apart. I thought of Jay and Jamie who have returned to live in Lynchburg with their almost four year-old son. I thought of Bryan Nixon who is now in Seattle having deep conversations. I thought of Amy, Liz's close friend from college, who is now a doctor saving people's lives. I thought of Trent and Jenna, now with a new baby, and how we fought over who paid the meal bill until we finally decided to split every meal. My thoughts spill into every lunch and dinner conversation we have had at one time or another with each and every one of you. These times have blessed our lives immensely!

Liz and I have had the wonderful opportunity to have incredible friends, and to be enriched by each of their lives. We have found that in true friendship comes love. This love can carry a broken man through hard times and celebrate with him through the good times. True friends are priceless and should never be treated as a passing fad. So, this is our way of saying in the deepest, most meaningful way...

THANK YOU!

Blessings to you, our TRUE friends.

Alan & Liz