i’m not really a “details” person. my brain tends to discard useless information like that-hotel-i-stayed-in-that-one-timeor the starbucks-in-which-i-drank-my-first-cup-of-coffee. irrelevant. [and my first cup of coffee was actually tim hortons. typical canadian.] i often have trouble remembering when my friendships started… it doesn’t really matter much to me. i mean, really: i know them, i love them, they are in my life now. i don’t remember how we got there! [i guess this unfortunate fact is the reason i write and journal so much.]

saying all that to say, i remember the first time i met a couple named jason and kelsey. i know who i was sitting with and where i was sitting — and what we talked about. mainly the mighty ducks. kid you not. jason & kelsey grew up together in a small town — fell in love and got married at nineteen years of age. they were youth pastors in their church until they felt the call to move to langley. jay & kels picked up their lives and moved cities. they walked into CLA one day, fully intending to “try it out” and see if they could belong. they never went anywhere else. and now! two years later, jason is on staff full-time working with our langley youth.

kelsey has become one of my dearest friends. a few weekends ago i visited her hometown — it was wonderful to experience her roots, meet her family, attend her childhood church. the conversations we shared together about dating, relationships & marriage were cherished. i love seeing jason & kelsey together in ministry — and i love how they love one another. as kelsey said to me that weekend, i don’t just love my husband. i actually really really like him. i want to spend every night with him and he’s the funniest person in the world to me.

she ain’t kidding. kelsey thinks jason is hilarious. and he is! and i laugh! but kelsey laughs the hardest. ALWAYS. i think that is my favourite thing about their marriage. i love funny people — i laugh a lot. i love funny boys. often i’ll look over at their girlfriend/fiancee/wife and they are kinda smiling… maybe a giggle. and i’m thinking, what?! does the funny wear off after 5-10 years together? what’s up!? when jason jokes around while preaching at youth group, i will often look at kelsey in the front row–she’s doubled over in laughter. just the way it should be.

being a part of jason & kelsey’s life is an incredible honour to me. if i am blessed with a marriage like theirs someday: centred around jesus, serving the church passionately & a genuine humour-filled friendship with one another — i will be exactly that… blessed! love you guys. thanks for letting me take your pitcha. ;)