What Would YOU Give.. For Your Best Friend?

At 8:40 AM this morning, Octavian's surgery started, and Ryan was sent back for final prep.

ryan & octavian *

What's happening?

I grew up with a family from my home church in Mt. Vernon. Our families have grown even closer over the years, our parents have been best friends for at least the past six or seven.

Jenni, one of the daughters, is a few years older than me, married to Octavian with two beautiful children. Their best friends Haylee and Ryan, another couple from my home church, have been very familiar names and faces since as long as I can recall. When my mom told me last year that Ryan's kidneys were failing quickly and that a transplant was mandatory, all I could do was pray. And then, via Mom & of course the breaking newsfronts of Facebook, I found out that after rounds and rounds of tests, Octavian was evaluated as a match for Ryan.

ryan, in dialysis :( *

Octavian and Ryan are best friends.
Octavian gave Ryan one of his kidneys today.

It chills me in both an inspirational and terrifying way to see the lengths we will go to for the people we love. I am humbled by Ryan's journey through all of this, and floored by the sacrifice that Octavian is making. I think about this and wonder what I would do if I were called by design to give such a delicate and functional part of myself for my best friend. Would I do it? I want to say yes, but the very thought of it is frightening.

Or at least it was.

Haylee and Ryan keep a blog, detailing this journey through Ryan's dialysis treatments, the struggles they've faced along the way, but more and most importantly the unwavering faith that has fueled them through every single trying day. Talk about motivated. If you have time, read some of it.
Along with their blog, Footsteps Photography captured moments from the bond and incredible story of these two families that moved me to tears when I first saw them.

Jenni posted some shots this morning from surgery prep.

octavian. jenni. ryan. haylee. *

I don't know about you, but while I saw hospital gowns and monitors, I can clearly saw the hope and confidence on their faces. I know they were scared.. who wouldn't be?!

I trolled FB a lot today, to see the updates that both Jenni and Haylee were posting. Finally, just before 3pm, I caught the first post-surgery updates from both, and just about cried:

aaaaaamen!!!

This isn't even my family but I can't help to be floored, yet again, by the miracle that happened today. What an amazing gift, and what a committment of trust and understanding that the there is no risk that can outweigh love when it comes down to the wire.

The last post I saw from Jenni tonight was a picture of her and Haylee, post-op, gearing to head home to rest up and return tomorrow to the hospital. They look exhausted, but gorgeous!

jenni & haylee .. gorgeous! *

Thank you, Haylee, Jenni, Octavian & Ryan for sharing this day with us and keeping us all posted. [My mom is in tears right now!] God is good, ALL. THE. TIME!

With that being said, Sydni and I are going to spend the rest of tonight cuddled up into a our movie and a Skype date with Rob before we hit the hay.

See you tomorrow (:

xo | cmd

*all photos borrowed from Jenni & Haylee!