Meet Austin.

Meet Luke.

 

Meet Austin and Luke.

The boyfriend & I met Austin and Luke at our church.  Considering we go to a church where the average age is 65, I guess you could say that younger people are forced to become friends.  Needless to say, nobody forced us.  And I can not imagine life without them.  They are that cool.  I could name a million reasons how they put awesomeness into our friendship.

First – they are hilariously fun.  Seriously.  They make me laugh so hard I have peed, choked on my own spit, spit out a beverage, snorted, sweated and had a week long episode of abdominal muscle spasms.

Secondly – they complete each other.  One time we experienced Luke without Austin…let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.  Kidding.  It was just kinda like hanging out with a normal guy…and seriously, who wants to do that?!?!  When Austin joined our group again, Luke was like a whole new man.  Luke was a lightbulb, Austin was the electricity.  And boy did they light up the room 🙂

Thirdly – they are graphically honest.  Nothing is off limits.  Most people only think about scenarios like – who is cuter outta your friends kids…Austin actually asks that out loud.  in front of the parents.  and the kids.  and then states the abnormalities.  Needless to say, it can create some awkward situations.  But then again…those are her favorite.

Fourthly – they are really easy to hang out with.  I like to credit them with the “easelax” quality.  They are oh-so-easy to do nothing with.  or something.  or everything.  but mostly nothing.  They are just really easy to relax around.

Don’t get me wrong – they know how to have a good time.

(Austin, if you are reading this – please tell Luke not to kill me).

Fifthly (is that a word?) – they are real.  Really real.  Do you ever interact with people that you can just tell are fake?  Like you tell them something is good, or hard, or wrong and the immediate response is like the acting in a made-for-TV-movie?  Well, you won’t get that with these two. 

Sixthly – they are smart.  That’s right.  They actually enjoy school.  Lifelong learners these eleven-year-old-boys-trapped-in-grown-up-bodies.  Which is probably what makes them so funny – their wit must be a direct result of too many hours in the classroom dreaming up jokes.

Funny thing is, Austin is 5 years younger than me.  Not that I age-discriminate…I was homeschooled afterall and we self-taught will take non-kin human interaction any way we can get it.  But it always strikes me as funny that I could relate so well to this quirky fun-factory of a youngster.

I guess it’s because we are okay with posing in public. 

 

Or because we are both the eldest girl of our families. 

 Or it could be our love for food.  We are both Italian afterall.

Or even our love of video games.

Yes, that is our den with a Halo tournament setup…complete with wall painting.  I was coerced by Austin.  (Don’t deny it.)

Whatever it is, I am thankful that we found each other.  And I am thankful that they found each other. 

Both Jeremy and I were honored to be a part of their special day.  That union is so precious to us. 

And I think that their bond, their friendship with each other is what got them through some rough times.  And boy, were there rough times.

Austin suffered two miscarriages in less than six months.  I think it broke her heart a little.  I know that there is nothing more that this girl would be better at than being a mom.  Just look at her with Brook’s baby, Lilley.

But it didn’t break her spirit. I didn’t know that a woman could be so resilent.  She is a testiment that life does go on.  

So what has this amazing fun couple brought to our house other than a gaudy video game painting?  Afteall, that is the point of sharing the Friendship Files with you.

They taught us that a home is your own personal playground.  That if you can’t live life fully in it…what’s the point of having it?

And that life is too short to worry about decor – afterall, the best accessories for your home are often free.  Love, joy, compassion, laughter…just to name a few. 

So tell me…now that you know all about how Austin & Luke have enriched our lives & our home.  Yes, I use the word ‘enriched’ very loosely :)…What’s the funnest thing you have ever done at your home?

Was it sledding?  Or maybe it was just a chillaxed dinner with your besties?  Or maybe it was when you pranked your hubby and you laughed until your knee was raw from the slapping?  Do tell…because both Austin & I love virtually having fun too!