Sorry for the cryptic nature of my last post. I wasn't trying to be mysterious. I figured most of my regulars already knew what was going on and those of you who didn't were the loving patient types who could wait to find out.

Over the past couple of months you've probably seen me mentioning a couple of friends of mine, Bryan and Erika Carter, more and more. Bryan and Erika are fixtures at St. Awesome's. Bryan was on staff for years (up until just recently) and Erika is a member of the praise team. In spite of us showing up at the same place every weekend for the last ten years, it's only been in recent months that I've finally started getting to know them.

Sara and I hit it off with Bryan and Erika immediately. I consider myself someone who makes friends easily, but it's been a long time since I hit it off with two people so quickly. There was just an immediate connection from the first time we hung out together.

Bryan is one of those guys who always has a plan. He comes across as being in control of every situation he's a part of. He's a fixer. He fixes things and takes care of people. Bryan's personality represents just about everything I wish I was.

Erika is a spitfire. She's energetic and fiery. She's really funny and mischievous in a way that is completely refreshing in a world full of uptight stuffy adults. She's unpredictable and entertaining. In other words everything else I wish I was.

On Saturday night of last week, Bryan and Erika's two year old daughter Natalie passed away unexpectedly.

There's so much I want to write about. The phone call from Erika on the way to the hospital. The time spent in the waiting room, the reaction of family and friends over the past week. I think I'm gonna give all of that a pass for now, though. Anything I might say would probably be better served by a letting a little time pass.

So I'll just say that Sara and I both feel blessed for the little time we got to spend with Nati. She was a beautiful, funny little girl and everyone misses her more than words can say.

Bryan, Erika, we love you guys so much and are honored to call you friends. You're part of a community that loves you and wants to step in when you don't feel like you're in control of everything or when you don't feel like being a spitfire.


Patch, You've done a great job at describing Bryan and Erika. It's still shocking to me all that has happened in the last week or so. It helps to talk about it, so thanks for bringing the conversation to your blog.  


Thanks Sally.  


Patch- you nailed B & Erika.

I'd add that B is a guy who not only likes to have a plan- but options.

Once I was in Chicago with him on a multi-day working trip. He caught a stomach flu the first day and at 3 am booked himself a flight out the next day- just in case he didn't feel better. Just having the option to go home made things better for him.

I love them both.  


That sounds like Bryan.

I love that my blog readers introduction to Erika (the ones who didn't know her already) was her coloring her toe with food coloring in order to convince me I'd bruised her foot. Who does that? That's why Erika is cooler than just about everybody.  


sweet, sweet patrick. bry and i love you and sara so much.

thank you for helping to take care of us and for being our friends.

i love that little picture of nati and the crooked ponytails. i was never good at doing her hair and she'd always say "ow mama" over and over. i figured it'd make her tougher! poor thing.  


She almost looks like she'd been crying before the picture was taken. I'm going to now imagine that it was because of your ponytail technique.  


sorry to say it wasn't because of the ponytail thing... i think we had just been outside and she was super hot.

i miss her patch.....sometimes i don't know how i will go on w/o her. it's been 2 wks since tonight and seems like it has been forever since i have held her and seen her.

ready for jesus to return.  


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