Tomorrow we say goodbye to some of our best friends here in Falls Church...our wonderful, irreplaceable, incomparable, unforgettable neighbors...Chris, Denise, Abby, Emma, and Elizabeth!

Tomorrow they depart for Colorado. Tonight we're grilling steaks together to celebrate three years of shared memories.

When Andrew and I first moved into our home we didn't know any of our neighbors well. Emma told us a few weeks ago that she could barely control the eye-rolling when she would see "that newlywed couple kissing in the front yard all the time." Hahaha!

I'd like to think it was a combination of three pretty signifanct things that deepened our friendship with this wonderful family:

1. We all shared in the joy of George entering the world!

I think I've mentioned before that our neighbor, Denise, was at George's birth. In fact, she cut his umbilical cord! She was such an incredible support during my labor and especially in those early postpartum days. Abby, Emma, and Elizabeth all visited us in those first 24 hours after George was born. It's one thing when someone loves you... but when they love your child...oh my. OH MY. Cue all the heart-melting in the world! These neighbors have loved and cherished George. They have played with him, swung with him, walked with him, rocked him, laughed with him. And even introduced him to the estimable classic, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. ;) They have also been the most flexible babysitters...sometimes showing up a mere 15 minutes prior to us needing a sitter! They have loved us by loving our son. I just want to weep every time I think of the gals heading off to school and George banging on the front door to wave to them. What a precious memory!

2. We survived Winter Storm Jonas! 

I think this has to be one of our most memorable weekends together here in Falls Church. Preparing for the blizzard. Hunkering down. Monitoring the storm. Wondering about school cancellations. And then digging and shoveling and snow-blowing out. Snowball fights and hot chocolate. And three crazy dogs. What a weekend!

3.We shared more than a highlight reel together.

How many times did we pray together? I've lost track. How many times did they pray for us? Too many to count. How many times was there comfort that went beyond a pat on the back or a hug? How many times were encouraging words shared at just the right time? Too many times to recall. How many Sunday mornings and afternoons did we congregate in driveways before and after church? How many times did we share real openness...the raw, messy parts of life with one another? How many times did we cry with one another? Okay, maybe that was just Denise and I. ;) It was a gift to live real lives together. 

Of course there are so many other memories...Anne of Green Gables discussions, Mason soccer, Duck Donuts, monograms, the Army, and the Navy, the Wrens HOA, When Calls the Heart, all things Star Wars, Mike's Deli, Artemis, pizza lunches, that low country boil feast, the Colonel's promotion ceremony, Taco Bell runs, prom, American Girl dolls, Williamsburg, a certain utensils-in-the-ground event which shall remain clothed in secrecy, Halloween, Thanksgiving afternoon, George's christening, Abby's graduation party, George's first birthday party, visiting grandparents (on both sides of the street!), adventures in dog ownership, and so many more. 

Here's a look back at just a few memories from these three years:

It seemed only fitting to end with a picture of Prince George of the Wrens in front of the Governor's Palace...a favorite place for both our families!

Denise, Chris, Abby, Emma, and Elizabeth (and even George and Gus!) we will MISS you all so very much! It has been the greatest joy to be your neighbors for the last three years. God bless you as you head to the beautiful state of Colorado. We can't wait to visit!!!

Letters to George Fossen // Volume 9

Dearest George,

In twenty minutes time you will be exactly 12 months old. I'm writing you tonight while reminiscing about today and yesterday and all of the weeks and months that have made up this one wild, glorious, life-changing year.

It feels like just yesterday I was mailing out your birth announcements and now here we are back at the beginning again...June 2...one whole year later! WHERE has the time gone?!

I've been reminiscing this week about last year...feeling SO pregnant...waiting to go into labor...finally going into labor...giving birth to you!!!!...taking you home...and those first few days of newness, joy, wonder, and emotion.

I didn't want you out of my sight for even one minute. I remember that first night/morning we brought you home and I just couldn't sleep. I had to watch you. Look at you. Wonder at you. Check your breathing. Stare at all your precious, perfect features. I was in awe.

I remember watching my parents hold you and seeing them become grandparents in an instant. I was so overcome with emotion at their joy and love for you.

I remember taking you to church on the very first Sunday of your life. Your Dad and I sat in the back of the auditorium at Bishop O'Connell High School and neither one of us could hold it together for most of the service. We were so incredibly grateful for the gift of YOU!

I look back at this last year and simply feel thankful. I feel thankful for God's provision to us. He provided amazing coworkers that helped send me off into this new job with such confidence. He provided a next door neighbor who was a midwife. He provided a church community that brought us meals, prayed for us, and encouraged us. He provided friends like the Skolnitskys who were embarking on all of the same things we were on this parenting journey. He provided my Mom! He provided neighbors to watch Admiral Byrd when we traveled, the Smith gals to babysit at a moment's notice, and girlfriends who made things so easy for me. During those sleepless nights that we thought would never end, God provided miraculous pockets of rest. We had a pretty serious health scare with you at six weeks and God provided just the right doctors to care for you. He provided my sister and your grandpa who came to sit with us in the hospital. He provided healing. He provided safety for us in all of the many travels we made this last year to see family.

There has not been one day of your life, dear George, when I have not needed the grace of God. It carries. It upholds. It strengthens. It heals.

You have been the greatest joy of our lives this year, darling boy! I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone.

We went to the grocery store yesterday afternoon and an elderly man stopped to wave at you. You waved back so enthusiastically and he smiled as he told me, "Enjoy this time. It goes so fast. My son is 54 and I still can't believe he's grown." I had such a lump in my throat that I couldn't even reply, but I nodded, yes! yes! I am trying to enjoy these days! Every day. Even the hard ones. These are precious days.

George, your Dad and I love you more than we could ever say. We thank God for you. Happy, happy birthday to you, our beloved son!