Thankful Post 12

Fate steps into your life sometimes and makes you wonder what the heck would have happened if it didn't. We moved into our Tempe, AZ apartment and our next door neighbors seemed friendly enough, although we figured this intelligent, cute couple would probably not have much in common with the two of us. You never know. Eventually, Jesse and Tewlyn became two of our closest friends. I simply cannot imagine our Arizona life without them for the few years we lived next door.

After inviting them over to dinner one evening (Thomas regaling them with story after story, J&T sitting ever so politely-has that ever changed!), we slowly began hanging out little by little. We quickly discovered that Jesse and Tew are very serious about their food-they are unbelievable in the kitchen and they realize the value of vegging by the tv. We would walk across the rocks to their apartment in pajama pants, eating amazing dinners while watching reality shows, Alias, Friends, more Alias and the list goes on. It is such an easy friendship and any combination of the four of us works.

J&T were the first to know that we were pregnant with Ian. They helped move us into our first house, later helped paint the nursery (that very fine line that was laser-measured to perfection in the middle of the room). They were the emergency backup if I went into labor. They were the first ones to meet our son during his first few hours of life. His first babysitters. They helped us transition from couple to family without leaving us behind. Never once complained about trekking out to see us because we were too exhausted from a new baby schedule. They knew where all our kitchen gadgets and tools better than we did. They came over to our house the night they were engaged. They asked us to be in their wedding party. We have had the good fortune to meet their families. They stayed with us for almost two weeks before moving to Houston.

Jesse now works for Exxon in Houston and Tew is studying to be a physician's assistant in a very competitive program. I am incredibly proud of their successes and despite the distance, the workload, the time apart, we all know that we are each just a phone call or email away. In times of need, I have no doubt that any one of us would hop on a plane that day if needed. I want them to realize that I love and miss them so much and how much they both have contributed to my life, Thomas' and the boys, especially Ian. I am over the top thankful for Jesse and Tewlyn and so incredibly happy to count them as friends.