This Thankful Thursday is dedicated solely to our dear friends Eric and Laura Baesel.

Some couples never in their lifetime have friends that would go to the ends of the earth for them, love them through every up and down, and sacrifice through thick and thin.  But the Baesels have been just those kinds of friends in our life.

We have known them for almost twenty years now – we attended college together, were involved in each other’s weddings (’94 and ’96), attended the same church for years, and had our first children, Judson and Keira, within 11 weeks of each other.  We have also weathered the trials of life with one another: layoffs and joblessness, ministry challenges, financial struggles, infertility, miscarriages, and even death.  Eric and Laura are core to a multitude of our memories that include laughter, honesty, awe, frustration, surprise, disappointment, awkwardness, hope, sorrow, and joy. 

Interestingly, the Baesels moved to Texas in 2001 and many of these experiences have been over the miles or through periodic visits; our friendship has uncommonly withstood the distance.  We have discovered that the Baesels are woven into the very fabric of our lives even when we are no longer able to share day-to-day life together.

Eric and Laura, along with their three kids (Keira—Judson’s best buddy, Connor, and Carter), have been in town this week.  And although the last time we saw them was a year ago, it feels as though it were yesterday.  We have enjoyed a couple visits to the beach, a trip to Disneyland, two plays, and sweet conversation over meals. 

As I was driving home after spending time with them this morning, I was overcome with tears of gratitude.  Life has taken some pretty heinous turns for us, but Eric and Laura are still by our side.  I kept recalling the phone call I made to them on the day Judson died…

“We’ll be on a plane tomorrow,” they responded.  And they were.  That says it all.

Thank you, God, for the Baesels!