Flashback Friday: celebrating!

In honor of Brady and Sara, who celebrate two very special milestones this week, I dedicate this Flashback Friday post to them!

Brady is Neil's cousin, who I got to know really well back in 2006 when he was at the Air Force Academy and we were living in Colorado Springs. Lots of Saturday nights hangin' at the house, Sunday dinners, birthday celebrations, occasional sushi dates, talks about girls and life in general were all the norm with Brady.  I adored him, and was sad when he graduated and moved away.  The one quality in Brady that I spotted right off the bat and have continued to see as the years have passed is his giving heart and genuine concern for others.  He's just a really good guy.  I still remember when he called to tell me he was engaged.  He was so deserving of the happiness he displayed and I couldn't have been more excited for him.  It was really neat listening to him talk about Sara and how I was going to love her and how he was excited for me to meet her.  And sure enough, when that day did finally come (at Malinka's 50th birthday BBQ), I fell in love, insantly.  It doesn't seem like that long ago yet here they are today, celebrating two years of marriage!

Did I mention Sara had a baby last night?  That would be the second reason we're celebrating.

Meet Jack, who made his debut at 7:22pm (a short 4 1/2 hours shy of his parents' anniversary), weighing a whopping 6 pounds, 6 ounces and measuring 20 inches.  From what I hear (and see on Facebook, where I stole this picture from), Jack is perfect and has already acquired quite the fan base. 

THEN (06 October 2009 - night before their wedding.  Look how little Chloe is!)

And NOW (well, sorta - June 2011, when Brady and Sara were in the area and stopped by for lunch and a short visit.  Sara has an itty bitty baby bump but it's hard to see in this picture.  What is NOT hard to see is that Brady is properly representing a team we all love.)

I really could not be more happy for Brady, Sara and Jack.  Although it's been years since Brady and I spoke regularly, I still hold a special spot in my heart for him and probably always will.

So Happy Birthday, Baby Jack!  And Happy Anniversary, to the new parents!