I don’t often get an opportunity to gush over my friends, but today I finally get that opportunity. And I’m not going to waste it.

Krystle was the Maid of Honor in my own wedding ancient days ago. I love our story and how intentional God was about bringing us together.

We met in 2010 when the Dean of ASU Law at the time forced me to talk to potential students who were interested in sex trafficking (as I had started the law schools’ sex trafficking program). We emailed a few times about ASU and what I liked about it, and then I think I passed her off onto someone who was on the board of my organization since I was leaving Phoenix for the summer.

While I was studying in Malta and traveling Europe, Krystle apparently decided to attend ASU and arrived in Phoenix. She had met with some members of my board that I recommended and expressed an interest in being a part of our organization. Finally, some 6 months later, we met at the beginning of my second year of law school. And we were instant best friends. The fireworks were there people.  Same sarcastic sense of humor. Same legal interests. Similar family background. But at the same time, I was way more intense and outspoken and she was way more practical and reasonable.  I think this was a good combination because while I was running around like a crazy person at times, she was reminding me to think things through, pray, and calm down. At the same time, my outrageous antics pulled her out of her candy shell. 😉

Then, a year later, Krystle agreed to accompany me on the trip of a lifetime. She dropped everything to spend her summer adventuring with me literally halfway across the world in the Philippines. We went to work our with our friend Sheila (who is a BOSS and is the Dean of Silliman College of Law in Dumaguete City).  Sheila was also running GWAVE, Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation.  So we spent the summer working with her organization and speaking at various schools and universities about human trafficking.  It was such an incredible experience to make friends with so many wonderful people and learn about the Philippines (which is an amazing and beautiful place, so go visit right now!).

We had an adventure with our first earthquake too, which woke us up at about 3:00 a.m. At first I thought Krystle was shaking my bed for some reason so I yelled at her to stop (back story, we pushed our twin beds into the same room because we were too scared to sleep alone LOL don’t judge us). When I saw her wake up and tell me I was crazy, and then the room kept moving, we realized it was an earthquake.  I think it was even a 4.7 or something! And Krystle spent the rest of the morning making sure a tsunami did not kill us, while I promptly feel back asleep of course.

A year and a half later, she stood beside me on my wedding day, and signed the most important legal document of my life. So it was very exciting for me a year later when she met her own husband, Dan.  I knew right away that I liked Dan. Because basically, he had a very similar personality to me. Much to Krystle’s annoyance, I used to remind her how she was marrying Dan because he was me in male form.

Since their marriage in 2014 (I can’t believe it was that long ago!), I’ve loved watching them grow as a couple. So it was with much sadness when Jon and I decided to move back to Washington last year. And then one day shortly after moving, I got the “I’m pregnant and I need to tell you before other people” text. To which I screamed. And I screamed again when I found out it was a girl (because I knew I’d get to buy adorable baby clothing with tulle and cats and pom poms and all things extra). And of course, I sent her a pregosauras tank top immediately. Which she hates and Dan loves (proving my earlier point…).

Having you two come visit us and allow me to capture this memory is so special to me. I know I’m not the overly emotional and sappy type, but I truly cried and laughed while editing these images. I can’t wait to meet my baby girl, watch her grow up, and see you two become parents covered in poop, glitter, and teaching her how to become a badass chick just like you. One that gives pimps a run for their money, reviews our laws to keep those politicians in check, and knows that sarcasm and outrageous laughter are extremely important parts of life.

I love you both so much, and can’t wait to see all the amazing things you accomplish together.