I know it’s really early on in the year to be saying this, but I have to say that Valentine’s Day was one of my favorites so far. 🙂 It started out with almost my entire family sitting down for homemade Cinnamon Oat Pancakes and French Vanilla Cappuchino’s in the morning, and really we could just stop right there, because that’s a pretty awesome way to start any day! 😉
But it only got better as the day went on and I was able to spend it with even more people I love. I was watching my nephew Boe that weekend for my sister, so he and I headed out later that day to attend the birthday party of Cassara, a little girl I’ve been watching since she was just 7 months.
It was just a really special, touching day for me realizing that I have been so blessed to have been a part of this little girl’s life since she was 7 months and was now turning three. I’d been to every single one of her birthday parties so far, and I can honestly say that her and her family have become like my own. It’s amazing what you can walk through with one another in three years, and I was just praising God for His amazing love in putting us together the way He did–the kind of friendships and attachments you can form without there being anything to bind you together except for that one thing… love.
This family, we’d cried and prayed together. Laughed and celebrated with one another. I’d been so blessed to be there for so many milestones… Cassara’s first words, her mom Rebekah’s decision to step down from teaching and stay at home when she found out they were pregnant again, a new precious little one added to the family with the birth of Syreah.
Then to walk through so much with them when Syreah was born with some health issues. To cry and pray and travel with them as they met with doctors and prepared for surgeries it didn’t seem right an infant should have to face. To go from laughing over Cassara calling dogs “baboo’s” to seeing signs in coffee shops across from children’s hospitals that read, “My child got a new heart today!!”
Syreah and I on one of the trips in the coffee shop across from the hospital.
It’ll humble you. It’ll remind you to never take anything for granted, to cherish every day and every little joy.
And here we were. Here we were three years later, all of us still standing, and most importantly–together.
Those are the kind of friendships that mean something. When you can walk with each other through your darkest days and see each other at your worst (and trust me, they have!), oh, those kinds of friends… they are worth more than gold.
In front: Cassara, Rebekah, and Syreah.
In back: Unknown child, me and Boe.
It’s hard to express everything I was feeling that day, but I just felt completely overwhelmed and surrounded by love, and to bring my own nephew along was just the topper. How lucky of a girl am I to have so many beautiful souls in my life to love on? To spend this day with? My parents, my sisters, my niece and my nephew, Keith and Rebekah, Cassara and Syreah. All such precious and important people to me.
That wasn’t always the perspective I had (you can read some of the story here), but I ended the day feeling just so incredibly blessed. I know “blessed” is a word I use a lot, but I’d be hard pressed to find one that fits better.
Though they’d never be able to capture it all, here’s a few of The Captured Moments:
Starting out the day with Mackenzie and Boe. (Both of whom were surprised to be taking a pic just then. 😉 )
I just love his face in this shot! Boe is a pretty serious guy most of the time, haha.
Then Kenzie decided we needed to take a selfie. 😉
Some signs I made for Cassara and Syreah’s rooms as birthday presents.
Cassara’s reaction melted me when she opened up her sign! Just a piece of wood with her name on it, but she was so excited and proud.
Two of my loves.
Boe’s favorite part of the day, getting to play inside the tunnel.
Saw him peeking through, and had to get the shot! Love this one and his little grin.
Happy 3rd Birthday, Cassara Jade!
Dreaming of Columbines 