Rough Week, Full of Promise

Evan and I started jotting down names for our guest list a few weeks ago... and it's honestly been one of the hardest conversations we've had so far in our relationship. The obvious family and mutual friends are easy -- but it's those people we have yet to meet from each other's early lives that make it tough. Just trying to explain to each other how certain people fit, and why -- even if their name's never been mentioned before -- it's still important that they're included. Then trying to narrow down the massive list to fit within our venue's size, and most importantly -- our budget. It's a wonderful problem to have. We have such wonderful friends and family.

But today it dawned on me that one of those names will no longer be on the guest list. Our dear friend Todd Reno will not be there next April. He took his own life last Friday, at the age of 34.

I like to think Todd is one of the reasons Evan and I even met. Yes, it's a stretch -- but stick with me here. Evan met Todd way back when, when Todd hired Evan straight out of college to be a main anchor in Billings, MT. Soon after, the company that owned the station laid everyone off, and folded the news department. Todd went to Lubbock to be the Assistant News Director at KAMC, and somehow convinced Evan to come along. And here we are today.

We celebrated Todd's life in a beautiful ceremony on Tuesday. It breaks my heart to think about all the love present in that church, alongside all the grief. We miss him so much.

But you know that saying -- when one door closes, another one opens. That became evident when we got a phone call from our friends Brett and Beth earlier this week. Within one day, we said Goodbye to Todd... only to celebrate Brett and Beth's brand new beautiful baby girl! She was born happy and healthy on February 6, 2012.

That's new dad Brett and Grandaddy Davidson. Do they share genes, or what?!

Now, as I write this post... she does not have a name. This is her yelling at her parents for that.

Evan's a natural with baby girls. Look at that little smile! I can't wait until we have one. After the wedding, of course. Mom, I can feel you gritting your teeth from here.

In the end, this week has been rough... yet full of promise. We hate to say goodbye to those we love, but the timing of Baby Davidson gave us a wonderful reminder that life goes on. We grow, we build, we learn... and of course, we remember.

And now to that whole, "naming the baby" project. Brett & Beth, our readers are anxiously awaiting an update. ;)