Change

Most of you know that I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and work at Grace Clinic Christian Counseling. Grace was established five years ago by my friends Brad and Becky Young (to be referred to as B and B), and Monica Taffinder. Prior to this, the four of us counseled together at a local church. In total, we have been together for 10 years now. What began as professional relationships has turned into deeply connected, intimate ones rooted in vulnerability, honesty, fun, and laughter.

A couple of years ago, B and B began talking about moving to Portland to launch a Grace Clinic out there. Becky is from there and has a lot of family in Portland. Desires became clearer, plans solidified, business plans were written and now we are less than two weeks away from their departure. This is a huge loss for me and my colleagues professionally but where I will feel the greater impact will be in the day to day absence of their presence in my family's life. They have three kids, like us, and our children are "best friends". Our oldest two, Riley and Madalyn (in that order because Riley likes that she is 9 months older than Madalyn) do battle over who is in charge, argue, and make up in true feminine fashion. Our middle two, Luke and Mackenzie, are easy going and are often lost in their creativity. They don't need to be right but just like sharing what they know, even if they're wrong. The youngest two, Jake and Mason......well they are just trying to figure out how to share. But it's all fun and our families do a lot together....Disney, dinners, pool, etc.

While I have known this is coming, I am beginning to feel it. In staff meeting today, we prayed for them and the tears flowed. The first of a million I'm sure. True girlfriends are hard to come by.

This stinks and I don't like change.