Jake and Becky's Wedding

In October, I finally got on the plane to North Carolina for Jake and Becky’s wedding. I was picked up at the airport by Isaiah, a fellow groomsman who quickly became a friend, and taken to the church.

Seeing Jake and Becky and hugging them, finally, was like a dream. Later that night, Nathan arrived – another groomsman and Focus friend. Easter 2009, Jake, Nathan and I went to Moab, Utah, on a mountain biking trip. Jake and Nathan are two of the godliest men I know, and their friendship means the world to me – I loved having the three of us together again.

The next couple days were spent renting tuxes and preparing for the wedding. And I was honored when Jake asked for my help writing his vows.

Then, at the rehearsal dinner, more friends from Focus began to arrive. First there was Scott, who had been Jake’s and my roommate at Focus. Then Elijah, Curtis and Nathan Crabtree arrived together. After some of the loneliest months I’ve ever experienced, I was suddenly surrounded by well-known, well-loved faces.

I lost track as more and more of the people I had been missing and praying for were suddenly in my arms. Sarah, Whitney, Jessy, Anthony, Rachel, Teri, Candice, Becca, Luke, Dawn, Shanti – I know these names mean nothing to most the people reading this, but to me it’s like a roll call of the most influential, beloved and important people in my life.

The night of the wedding the groomsmen held a bonfire for Jake. I’d never seen such high flames. As the firelight flickered we knelt, placed hands on Jake, and prayed for his future with Becky.

The wedding was wonderful, Becky was gorgeous, and I was smiling through the whole thing. But like most weddings, it went by in a flash, and before I knew it Jake and Becky were walking out the church doors and through a crowd of cheers and bubbles. The newlyweds got into a borrowed hotrod and sped away toward their new life together. It’s almost too bad they couldn’t hang around with us, but I’m pretty sure they preferred what they were doing.

That night, the rest of us from Focus - nearly 20 people - stayed in a rented cabin together. After a shared dinner, we gathered in the living room and, one by one, talked about how life had changed since Focus.

It was amazing to me that, after nearly 2 years, the vulnerability, trust and intimacy of this group hadn’t waned. Some people had moved to new homes and jobs, and a few had gotten married. But many were still searching for jobs, dealing with loneliness, and struggling to trust God. It broke my heart that my friends were hurting too. But opening up to that room filled with the love, acceptance and hope of friends was the deep breath so many of us needed to take.

That night people began to leave, and it physically hurt to see some of them go. I followed several out to their cars for a second hug goodbye. The next morning, Anthony, Nathan and Jessy took me to the airport, and I said just one more goodbye before leaving for Colorado.

Becky is blogging about her and Jake's new life together HERE. Check it out. They're wonderful people.

http://www.lifeaccordingtothehatfields.blogspot.com/