Sister C and Sister E

Almost fourteen years ago I was at church early saving two pews because my whole family was coming to witness Carter’s Baptism.  A tall skinny blonde woman I did not know shimmied into the pew I was saving in the front.  In my typically officious voice I announced to her that the seats were taken because my daughter was being baptized that day.  She looked at me and said that her daughter was also being baptized that day, news to both of us that we were sharing the day.  It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship that did not start out so friendly.

Carter and Ellis, now affectionately called Sister E and Sister C unknowingly started their life long friendship there and then.  Today they were both confirmed together in the same church where they were baptized.  This time their parents happily chose to sit together.

Carter choosing to join the church and be confirmed was not a slam-dunk.  At first she was unwilling to agree to go through the classes.  I told Carter that she did not have to pledge her allegiance to any God, Church or Jesus, but that she had to go through the classes to learn what she did and did not believe in.  I know that she was challenging to her teachers in her questions.  I am thankful that many smart adults, Taylor, Nancy and her mentor Jamie did not tire of helping this prove-it-science-type adolescent come to an understanding of faith and grace.

I ended up being asked to be Ellis’ mentor as a church elder.  It only seemed fitting since I consider her my own bonus daughter.  Ellis’ mother Lynn often says of Ellis that she is more my daughter than hers when Ellis is being her natural comedic self.

So today I celebrate not just Carter and Ellis’ confirmation but the years of friendship with the whole Toms family started there at Sister E and Sister C’s baptism and continued on today and for years to come.