Sarah, Ben & Sam

We met Sarah & Ben when we first started at Creedmoor Road Church, way back before Leah was even thought of, and I can't remember a time since then that we weren't friends. They are the type of friends that would do anything for you, any time of the day or night. Sarah and Brett bonded over their mutual love for music, while Sarah and I bonded over our love for scrapbooking and thrift shopping.

Once Leah was born, Sarah offered-- no, begged-- to watch her so we could have a night out. This became a regular occurrence and not once did she ask for money. I tried not to take for granted the fact that I had a free babysitter at my disposal, but Sarah always made it seem like we were doing her a favor by letting her watch Leah.

As Leah got older, she was as comfortable at Sarah's house as she was at our own. And Sarah treated her as her own. Last summer when I was still workign, Sarah & Ben kept Leah for half the price I would have had to pay for preschool. Sarah invested in a cheap car seat, high chair, and pack 'n play so I knew when she went over there, she wouldn't lack for anything. A big refrigerator box with all kinds of toys remained a permanent fixture in their living room. And Leah got to know Sarah's co-workers at the school where she teaches, and the people at their church.

And then, of course, there was Sam. Leah loved that dog and Sam made Leah comfortable around all dogs. She always followed Sam around the house, feeding her pieces of dog food or cheese and basically bossing her around like Leah does. And Sam, though slow and old, always seemed to show a special concern for her (and Andrew once he came along), checking on her like her own puppy. Sam recently had to be put to sleep-- we don't really know how to explain this to Leah but we feel her loss.

I'm saying all of this is because Ben recently got a new job in the mountains of NC, and they'll be moving 4 hours away. They will be greatly missed-- not just because of their free babysitting services (which I am already missing, seeing as how I have to take both kids to the doctor for Andrew's appt. on Monday, and I've never had to do that!), but because of their great friendship, their support during the difficult stuff that went on at Creedmor Road, and their willingness to just be there. We've shared many meals and parties, much laughter and joy, and we are so sad to see them go. We're still not sure at all what to tell Leah at this time (everytime she packs up her little purse and pretends to leave the house, she says she's going to Sarah's house), but we're grateful we won't be too far away, and know this is how many friendships work out. We are so grateful to have had them as part of our lives.