One Week from Today

This sweet girl turned 4 on Monday. I can't really believe she is four....probably because she acts likes she's 24. Just a little old soul in a toddler's body. This is one of the only pictures of us. Susan snapped at Bit's birthday party this past weekend, and I cherish it. It's one of many moments I will never forget.

As of today, it's exactly one week until Asher's surgery on the tumor in her leg. I'm hoping after that we can start throwing around the term "cancer free" like it's our job. Justin got some awesome photos of Bit last night, and I wanted to share them with you because they are so beautiful.

Looking at these photos makes me so happy. I love how little kiddish she looks. I mean she is a little kid. A little kid dealing with very grown up problems. So I love any captured moment where she actually looks her age.

The last few weeks I've been super busy, and I started my new job this week so I haven't been able to hang out with her as much. The time I have gotten to spend with her is a full reminder of how much I love this kid.

She has been a constant in my unsteady life for the past five months. But if I were to bet, I'd say she's been a constant in more lives than just mine. And this is a beautiful thing.

This kid can evoke so much emotion out of so many people. And the fact that she has touched so many people who have never met her is just a testament to her story....and all the more reason to tell it.

But there are two people that should get a lot of praise for this child's success.

Her parents, Justin and Susan.

I've never really went into much detail about how amazing they are, but it's been on my heart lately. Anything I write won't hold a candle to how amazing they actually are, but that doesn't stop me from trying.

I am very blessed to have them in my life. They let me come into their lives during one of their most difficult challenges. They've fed me for five months while I was job hunting. And all they ever asked me for was my babysitting skills.

As I've spent more time with them, I'm just so grateful for both of them.

Susan and I have grown really close. She's taught me that green beans can be fried, angel food cake must be put on the lower rack of the oven and celebrity gossip makes the world go 'round. Justin and I talk running, he's sent my resume around to his contacts and he always provides vauable information about things I know nothing about...like 401Ks.

But more importantly, they've both given and accepted love for their child to any and everyone. They created a normal for Asher that only the two of them could have created, and they've created an indestructable bond that only two people can create when it comes to their child.

You both are exceptional parents. And I'm lucky to be a part of your life. Thank you for letting me in. Thank you for being open to sharing Asher's story. And thank you for being incredibly awesome people. Your kid is special to me,  but so are you guys. I be loving you.