Nov 6, 2009  •  In Personal, Relationships, Touching

That Friend

If you’ve never heard of That Wife, shame on you. That Wife — aka Mrs. Avocado — aka Jenna — is a beautiful person inside and out, a great blogger, a fantastic photographer, and one special friend.

When I first announced my pregnancy, Jenna enthusiastically emailed me to let me know that she just recently found out she was pregnant too. Being only a week apart, we kept in touch and dreamed of mommyhood together.

A few weeks later, I was able to meet Jenna in person at Christiana (aka Mrs. D’orsay)’s wedding and again at the NYC Bee Party ’09.

Although we’ve only met a couple of times and are by no means bosom buddies, I think that Jenna took the news of my miscarriage especially hard. It is difficult to have a friend who had committed to the same journey as you suddenly — and unwillingly — be pushed out of the ride. As a pregnant woman who was practically at the same stage in development as me, I think that she was able to sense the pain of the loss without even going through it. In addition, I am certain that both her and her husband worried sick about their own baby, knowing that our due dates were so close together.

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from Jenna that brought me to tears. One line in particular hit me hard: “I always include you in my nightly prayers said aloud with [my husband].”

It was then that I realized I needed prayer more than anything. And it was then that I realized there are so many people out there, even people we’ve never met but only know through this blog, who were praying for me and J.

I have received so many encouraging words, and even presents, from my internet friends. TissueBlossom sent me a care package as soon as I announced my pregnancy. Girl on the Park sent me the cutest and fluffiest Yoshi doll (complete with a note on a geeky postcard that she knew I’d love) upon reading of all the hardships we had been going through in the past few months.

The emails and comments I receive from strangers never cease to amaze me. And all the prayers said on our behalf! Geez I’m getting weepy just writing this.

Why this sudden “thank you, I love you all” post? Well today I received a present from Jenna: a commissioned painting of my wedding dress by the talented artist Sabrina!

Last month Jenna had held a giveaway on her blog for a custom dress painting by Sabrina. I entered, but did not win. Well obviously Jenna had noticed my entry and decided to surprise me with a painting of my own!

This is the picture I had sent in with my entry. Please darn close, don’t you think?

Jenna, you rock. May your outlook on life always be an inspiration to others, your faith always steadfast, and your family life be blessed!

And to the rest of my friends and readers, another heartfelt THANK YOU!!!

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8 Responses to “That Friend”

  1. annie says:

    <3 so amazing 🙂

  2. Lovely post. Lovely Jenna. Lovely attitude. I am so inspired by how gracefully you’ve handled everything, and I am always wishing you good things to come 🙂

  3. Shell says:

    Awww, that was so sweet of Jenna! I love Jenna and Sabrina both, so it was fantastic to see them both in your post!

  4. MrsW says:

    I had a pregnancy buddy who was due this past weekend (I’m due at the end of the month). She lost the baby in April. It was really tough for me, especially because I was still waiting to tell people when she lost hers so all of my excited "we’re pregnant together!!" phase was kept to myself. She just lost another pregnancy and I know as a friend I wonder why it is she has to hurt so badly when I am blessed, and I pray for her constantly. I find myself thinking the same thing for you in your situation. May all of these already-mothers have a live child in their arms soon.

  5. Amy says:

    Aww..that’s so sweet of her!

  6. Sabrina says:

    My close friend had an ectopic pregnancy just before my own wedding and it was heartbreaking to watch her own struggle through the ups and downs. Luckily now she has a very healthy and very expressive 5 month old.

    So when Jenna asked if I could create a painting for you, I just asked her to cover the shipping charges and was more than happy to make you one for free.

  7. girlonthepark says:

    Aw, thank you for the shout out! I am so happy you liked the Yoshi!
    My husband and I are not religious people, but you have been a very good blogging friend to me for the past several years that he and I often talk about and think happy thoughts for you and J. 🙂

  8. Jenna says:

    I’m so glad Sabrina spoke up and clarified that SHE did most of the work on this, not me! I’m so glad this helped you out a bit. I’m happy to count you as my friend.

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