We get to visit Portland this weekend!!! John will be in a good friend's wedding on Saturday and we will be staying at the home of some of John's college friends. I'm excited about both things. For one, the couple marrying are incredibly kind, sincere people. When we first had them over and I was finally able to meet the soon-to-be bride, I was almost annoyed by her incredibly sweet self - beautiful person - and melodic voice. Come on. The voice too?? And the worst part is, it's all real. She's really just the kindest person. Not snarky at all, like someone else you might know. :| She just loves people and cares for others and gives thoughtful, kind responses and laughs when people make jokes and listens when they tell stories.
They are both great, and their wedding will be incredibly sweet I have no doubt. I'm excited John will get stand up there beside him. And having just come out of our own wedding, we're excited to more knowledgeably bless/support them than we might otherwise have done.
And as for the couple we get to stay with - I hardly know them. I have met them once before, when John and I found ourselves an hour outside of Portland and suddenly with no place to stay. On a whim, John texted some old friends, and they opened up their home to us. While they made the drive over for our wedding, I didn't even get to see them on that busy day. I had been so excited when I saw their "yes" arrive in the RSVP!
I'm really looking forward to hopefully sharing a meal with this incredibly kind couple and getting to know them better - I love people who open up their homes, who intentionally create space in their home to be filled by family, friends, and friends of friends. It is kind. As is always their responses when we message and ask to crash on a weekend. They told us we have a 'home in Portland.' These were not John's best friends mind you. They were friends. Maybe even good friends. A DECADE AGO. And yet, they tell us we always have a place at their home. I want to be their friends. And I want to be just like them.
When we stayed there last summer, they left the kitchen door unlocked for us since we'd be in late. They tried to keep their toddler quiet in the morning so we could sleep. They had coffee waiting for us and saved us breakfast. They casually sat with us, but made no demands on our time. They sent us out with great recommendations for the town.
I love marrying a good man, who is a good friend, who has good friends.
This weekend I will be contemplating the virtue of kindness, and how to be a friend.
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