sometimes in life, God blesses us with great surprises.
Before coming on the World Race there were a few things I knew for sure…
- I was going to see a lot of cool places.
- My faith was going to grow.
- I was going to meet a lot of new people
What I didn’t know was that one of those new people would become a life long friend.
When I first met Jaide Penny during our car pull on the way to training camp in October, it was pretty obvious it wouldn’t take much for us to get a long. I mean the girl is sarcastic and loves country music!
What else can I really ask for in a friend?
After 6 hours in a car together and being thrown into the craziness of camp, it was pretty natural, throughout that week, to just cling to the people you “knew.” However, after that week at camp and 6 more hours in a car together filled with some pretty awesome conversations, it really did feel like I had known Jaide for more than just 7 days.
We even made plans for me to make a trip to New Jersey before we left for the race. You know, those plans you make with new friends your excited about that never actually go through, except these did! During that trip, I again felt like I had known her for years. The wonderful way her family and friends invited Wes and I into their home and city really made it seem as though they weren’t all just meeting us for the first time.
Except maybe Jonah, who is still warming up to me, but I know deep down he’s excited to know me! Plus we got the privilege of not only enjoying Alex’s company there in NJ, but again before launch in WV.
I’ll just say, Jaide’s found herself one of the good ones.
Little did I know, all of that would just be the beginning to a beautiful friendship. Since we left for Atlanta in January, Jaide and I have: held each other through the tears of goodbyes, laughed together more times than I can count, had about a trillion deep conversations, shared our future dreams, experienced new places, done ministry, eaten weird foods, prayed together, called each other out on our crap (usually I’m the one getting called out, totally valid!), consoled each other and others on our squad, and helped each other through tough times and decisions. All that in just 3 months. That’s more than I’ve done with some people that I’ve known for years.
Jaide is just one of the many people on the squad that I’ve gotten close to this year, but there is something different about my friendship with her than I have with anyone else. It’s a friendship that I’ve come to love and appreciate deeply and one that I am excited to continue after November when we all go back home. Laughs with her seem deeper, conversations more real, and adventures more exciting. I’m happy to be sharing in this whole experience together, even if our teams go weeks without seeing each other most of the time…God has blessed me with a wonderful friend in Jaide. 🙂
And today, April 4th, I’m almost positive she’s feeling 22 thanks to Taylor Swift.
Happy Birthday Beautiful!
I’m glad you were born 🙂
From Baby Hippos to serious family situations,
this trip wouldn’t be the same without you.
Thanks for being who you are
& I can’t wait to be there for many more birthdays to come!
Who knows where we will be next year to celebrate 😉
Skywalker & Jedi
#whereisjaideandschuylartoday
<3
