Welcome Baby Josephine Grace

Here is our first little picture of Kevin and Molly's precious little baby girl, born yesterday. They named her after Joey, and if you look closely, you can see his picture there in the crib with her. She's a tiny bundle of beauty, isn't she! And Joey's memory lives on through her name. What a touching gift from Kevin and Molly.

This is just part of a larger story of a friendship that goes back 30 years. Kevin and Joey were lifelong best friends, starting practically from their own births. They shared the neighborhood, their families, vacations, apartments, and thousands of memories together. Their bond ran deep. As children, they were inseparable, and their paths and interests were deeply intertwined. As adults living in different states, they made it a point to vacation together as much as possible. This picture was taken a week before Joey went to Heaven when we were all together in Hawaii.

Here, Joey and Molly in Keanae, Maui, on one of their numerous trips together. When Molly entered Kevin's life, she became part of their gang of friends. Joey and Kevin simply wove their new relationships into the fabric of their existing friendship. When Joey's Rachel came along, the four of them became closest friends. Like Rachel, Molly is a lovely person, and she, too, became a wonderful friend to Joey.

Here, Kevin and Molly on their snowboards, from our vacation together to Whistler in 2006. A memorable Christmas with both our families--all 23 of us! We have absolutely no regrets about the time and money invested into this relationship. Nothing else is as important in life as being with those you love.

I think this picture maybe says it all.

We are so delighted that beautiful little Josephine Grace is here. Oh, how we wish Joey could be present to celebrate this moment with Kevin and Molly. He would wrap them in one of his big hugs, he would instantly adore their little girl as he did his own nieces and nephews, and he would enter the wonder of this new chapter with enthusiasm. We all hoped that they would someday raise children together and weave them all into a rich multi-generational story of enduring friendship. We will now have to wait to do that in Heaven.

We love you, Kevin and Molly. We pray little Josie Grace brings you much comfort. You have been such amazing, loyal friends to Joey. Though Joey is absent, we know that he's present in spirit and truly experiencing, along with us all, this beautiful, poignant moment. We pray God's richest blessings and protection on you both and on your sweet little daughter whom we love already.

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Psalm 127:3-5