New Best Friend

Friday - Day 1

Have you ever met someone and instantly became the best of friends with them? All 7 of the youth and I were so blessed to have that experience with a sweet boy named Silas. After traveling in the car for 7ish hours and seeing this amazing tractor tire

and touring Concordia University in Mequon, WI (we have youth interested!)

we ended up at Caleb's sister's farm. This lovely farm was where we all experienced love at first sight.

Meet Silas

Caleb drove the van into the drive and parked it facing the house. Running out the of door as fast as his bare feet could carry him came a very high-energy 3-year-old boy. He had the most passionate expression of joy on his face at seeing his uncle that I have ever seen. After the touching reunion of uncle and nephew, the rest of us piled out of the van and Silas gave us the royal treatment. We were led around the farm by our pint-sized tour guide with phrases like:

"I think my friends want to see the horses"

"I think my friends want to see chickens"

"I think you want to play trains"

"I think you want to play with Silas"

"I think you want to watch Silas"

These were not questions but rather phrases. Somehow Silas knew what we wanted to do before we knew what we wanted to do. This only endeared him to our hearts more.

Not to be outdone by her big brother, Leah graced all of us with her beautiful smile.

Well, all of us except Uncle Caleb. All he seemed able to do was make Leah cry.

As happens all too often it was soon time to say good-bye.

We left Silas to decorate a cake with his parents and Leah and we checked into our hotel.

Silas was the main topic of conversation that night and just the thought of him throughout the days ahead brought smiles to our faces. Silas, buddy, it is an honor to be your friend.