Interlude

We’ve been worried about Rowenna. No news on that front and I have messages with doctors out there waiting to be returned.

This weekend, we had the honor of attending the wedding of two dear friends. The weekend felt like a much-needed interlude from what’s been going on around here.

Our friends make an absolutely beautiful couple. Their love for each other is so genuine and so pure. Hubby and I have watched this relationship grow for more than 6 years. We’ve known all along they were a perfect match, and we were so happy to be at their wedding.

They both told us, on several occasions over the weekend, that hubby and I were an inspiration to them. We were a bit taken aback by this revelation, seeing as how pretty much everything we do falls into the “kooky” or “are you sure you want to do that?” categories. But we are touched by their kind words, and I cried a thousand happy tears for them over the weekend.

So let me return this kindness and share a little something about the bride and groom.

I’m not sure they know it, but these two helped get us through some very difficult times. Sitting here and reflecting on it now, I’m crying at the memory of their steadfastness when it seemed like our world was crumbling around us. They cared for our cats while Rowenna stayed in the NICU, they made sure we had nothing to worry about back at our house, and constantly lifted us up with their gentle questions and exclamations of joy over the arrival of our daughter. They came to meet her and oohed and aahed. They have loved Rowenna from the start and they love her still in a way that constantly surprises us.

Over the last 14 months they have bent over backwards to love us and support us. They’ve been a listening ear, they’ve been bearers of tasty snacks while we were in the hospital with Rowenna, they’ve offered their home as a landing pad for us. They’ve even watched our girl while we marched up to the capital to make our voices heard for Rowenna.

I know that all they see is Rowenna, not Down syndrome. I can feel it in my momma heart. I know those of you who have a child sporting an extra chromosome might understand what I mean by this, and what it means to have a friend like this. They wrap our girl up in love.

Over the weekend, they practically fell over themselves to accommodate Rowenna. Here they were, on the one day that really, truly is about just them, worrying about whether or not Rowenna was ok.

The groom with Rowenna.

On the one day all about them, there were many times they were all about Rowenna.

The bride with Rowenna.

And I just want to say, from the bottom of my heart, how grateful we are to have them as friends. It’s people like this that make life just a little bit easier, a little bit fuller, and a lot more happy.

After Rowenna was born, we cast out our net. We needed support. These two (among others, who I am sure I will one day write about!) answered that call loud and clear.

Congratulations, you two. Thank you for letting us be part of your special day!