We heard some sad and shocking news a few weeks ago …
My daughter’s best friend (who was really more like a sister) was moving to Florida! Even though we knew she would be leaving soon, we didn’t find out until a week ago that she was moving within DAYS.
Oh Father, help us.
These two girls have known each other since they were babies, but became really close a few years ago. The little friend (we call Tater) has been in our lives since she came home. Our families attended the same church and were friends. Tater’s mom and I prayed for our daughters to come home over 9 years ago — and God brought them to us.
What a blessing it has been to have had this family in our lives!
We often had little miss Tater on the weekends from Friday through Sunday afternoon. While with us, I constantly snapped photos of them playing so that I could forward to her parents. I posted so many photos on a social media site that some actually thought we had adopted a sister for our daughter. Ha. Actually, though Tater wasn’t our child, she was like a daughter in my heart.
Tater always made herself at home here. When she was hungry, she helped herself to our pantry and fridge. When she was cold, she would go to our blankets and seek warmth. She went through our daughter’s clothes and picked out whatever she wanted to wear. I even started buying matching outfits so that the girls could dress similarly on Sunday mornings. I also had extra shoes and snow bibs here for Tater to wear. She was/is like another family member and I was more than happy to spend the rest of our lives with Tater in our home.
Who knew that God was going to move her away from us? (Remember Beth, she really isn’t your child.)
Certainly not us.
We
were
in
shock!
She isn’t our child (even though her Mom laughs about us co-parenting), but the pain feels like the loss of a child. I can’t even think about it without crying. It is ridiculous – I need to get a grip. I can only imagine that this is how it would feel to foster a child — to fall in love, then have to return the child to her birth parents. In this case, Tater is happily with her family and must be excited about their new adventure. I shouldn’t be grieving …
We are so blessed to have had this experience with sweet Tater. She was a perfect fit for our daughter. Some kids can be mean and competitive — always trying to outdo each other, but not this young lady. She was/is sweet and mannerly. Her parents have done a great job with her and I’m so thankful that we were given a few years with her.
She and our daughter enjoyed the same things and just fit like peanut butter & jelly.
I don’t think we will ever have this again with another young girl. Don’t get me wrong, our daughter has some very sweet friends, but I don’t think we will ever have the freedom to spend as much time with another child.
Thankfully with technology they can still see each other. The ability to face-time is a gift!
Did you ever have a childhood friend move away? Our daughter asked that question through her sobs Saturday night after she had to say goodbye to Tater. She was looking to us for hope that they would always remain friends.
I have had some of my dearest adult friends move away and though the love will always be there, it is hard to stay as connected as we were when doing life together. I guess that is what I am sad about too… I could just imagine these girls growing up together, but God had another plan. His plan and His Will is best.
Dear sweet Tater. I pray that you will always remember the times you spent here on the farm and in the mountains. I pray you will have fond memories of us in your heart as you mature.
This family loves you and will always be here for you.
God has mighty plans for you Tater bug!
Goodbye for now, but I pray we get to hug you again in the near future.
Your NC family ….
That makes me so sad. . . makes me want to watch the movie “Beaches” even though it always makes me cry.
You’re a nut. You want to watch Beaches now? Ha. I wasn’t trying to make everyone cry. Sigh.
What a special relationship you’ve been blessed to have with this sweet girl. Yes, in a way it IS like foster care. The hardest thing to do is when you have to give them back, especially when they’re just babies or toddlers and calling you “mommy.” Of course, some children are foster-to-adopt and so you don’t give those little ones back as they are in process to have the parental rights terminated (or rights are already terminated). But I digress.
I am glad that there is all that social media to keep in contact. It’s not the same as having her in the home though. But perhaps the girls can visit one another when they get older!
Thanks Nan. I could never be a foster parent. God bless those who have the fortitude to do it.
<3
I was wondering how your princess was doing, now I know. What I didn’t expect was to be crying at the end, especially when I got to the adult girlfriends part… God bless Tater and the Princess!
You were one of the friends who moved — though not as far as some. Honestly, I think our little one is okay. It was a hard weekend, but I’m sure we will get used to the new norm.
I smiled the whole time I was reading this. Your daughter is so blessed to be her age & have the memories she has with her sweet friend. Susan Fuller & I often talk about how important it is for women to have a good girlfriend. You know….the kind that makes it so easy to share all the intimate details of your life. With that being said….love you, Beth. Your family is very dear to me.
Thanks sweet Kim! We love you too!
Thanks for the cry, Beth! 😉 It’s funny, when Deanna told me they were moving, your daughter and “Tater” were the first two that came to mind. I was sad for them. God will preserve that friendship and it will continue to cultivate thru the years to come! xoxo
Thanks sweet Katie. I pray so! 😉