Do you have friends that you really look up to? You watch what they do, you look to them as an example.

Gerry and Rachel are such friends.

Two months before Jan and I got married Gerry and Rachel tied the knot.

They became our “go to” guys for every wedding question; “are we getting a good deal on this?” was usually the main question. Gerry being a super savvy accountant and Rachel who has more class in her pinkie finger than most of us have in our whole bodies – always KNEW how to advise us.

They even let us copy their wedding cake.

That is pretty nice, don’t you think?

Gerry and Rachel are the essence of awesome: kind, classy, interesting, fun, and good to the core.

When I had my miscarriage, while living in the UK, I felt so alone. We were still attending the singles ward even though we were newlyweds because Jan was in the bishopric. My family was far, far away.  Nobody knew what to do for me. My bishop famously said to me, “buck up, buck-a-roo” after he heard the news. I don’t think that the Relief Society president ever even said anything to me – so I guess the bishop should get some credit (poor guy, he was doing the best he could). But I will never forget Rachel’s response. She just held me and wouldn’t let go.  That is Rachel for you. My mom was on the other side of a vast ocean – but Rachel was there and knew just what to do.

Gerry and Rachel are still Londoners.

Now they are a family of six. They maneuver the streets of London with four small children – every single day. They also serve their guts out – Rachel as the Stake Young Women’s president and  Gerry as a counselor in the bishopric. Are you thinking what I am thinking – H O W??? do they do it?!?!

Last week they were in the USA, in the fine state of New Jersey, and they paid us a visit.

It was G R A N D !

In tow were their four beautifully behaved children – Annabelle, Collette, Sebastian and Theo.

Check out the mug on this kid! Now imagine him talking to you with and English accent.

Are you melting?

I was!

Few things in this great big world of ours are as DARLING as this little boy.

I would like to make a small request if anyone in the heavenly realms happens to be listening: Please may I have a little boy who looks just like Sebastian, behaves just like Sebastian and sounds just like Sebastian.

I could also settle for an arranged marriage (put your fighting gloves on, Lou – I know you’ve got your eye of this guy too. “Ding, ding!” goes the bell for round one!)

Twins, Annabelle and Collette, are equally darling.

And they all shared some good times with our girls.

This little visit was wonderful in so many ways.

Most wonderful to me was reflecting on the darling couple who got married two months before we did – and witnessing the happy life they are building.  With grace and goodness they are doing just what they promised God they would do. And seeing it with my own eyes made me feel so very happy.

So seven years on from when Gerry and Rachel became the Neus and Jan and Eliza became the Dawsons life is still swell!

Full of a lot more little people…

and swell, swell, swell!

Thanks for the visit and most of all thanks for being our friends! We love you guys.

P.S.

Just one more photo of Sebastian, because, let’s face it – I’ve got it bad!

I am smitten.

Wouldn’t you be?