Katie, I feel this so deeply. I have tried to write a similar piece a million times and you captured the importance of brothers and sisters so beautifully. As a single women in my 30s who has dozens of incredible sisters, it’s the friendship, encouragement, and being known by my brothers (the husbands of those sisters) that has been such a help in contentment. I treasure their words, their encouragement, thier friendship so deeply and I need it to remember that there is no shortage of family in my life. No shortage of good men in this broken world. It matters so deeply and it’s on of my greatest prayers for the church, that we would grow in healthy, holy, god-honoring friendship as brothers and sisters.
"My mom raised me" is all he had to say. God is so good, Katie. Look at how he has provided your girlfriends and their husbands to envelop you in love, support, strength, and grace. We need so much more of that in this world. I pray this kind of community continues to provide a firm foundation for you and your family. Sending you so much love!
Katie, I am so moved by this piece and will think about it often. I am equipped to be a better friend because of your willingness to share your stories. 💛💛
Katie! This is such an important message in a society that often denigrates and infantilizes men, and it made me cry. Godly men are a gift, and I'm so, so thankful you have some in your corner.
Katie! 😭😭 God totally gave you the courage to ask for that kind of gathering and blessed you for being brave. He’s got you. Also, I knew you had a village, but, man, those guys stepped up to the plate. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays and thank you for loving my wife well.
This gutted me in the best way. One of my closest friends just finalized her own divorce last week, so it hit very close to my heart. Thank you for sharing!
My husband asked, “are your allergies bad today?” Nope. Just read this beautiful essay. Loved this, Katie. Words have so much power and help us endure in this race.
Beautiful. You completely captured the nuance of being single... and still needing the friendships of men / couples. When I was newly married, my husband deployed on submarines - next to zero communication for months at a time. So many husbands of my civilian friends didn't know what category I fell into. It was a select but almost 20 years later still very dear-to-me few who figured out I was still me, sans spouse, and we could navigate right through the weirdness to real friendship.
I needed this. I was left 5 months ago (physically) and many years before that in all other respects. The loss of friendships has been yet another devastating part of one person’s choices.
What a beautiful piece of writing. When you make someone cry when they don’t even have the benefit of knowing you, you’ve done a good work. Restacking.
Excuse me while I dry my tears!! So incredibly beautiful. And yes. I too feel the need for and appreciate the presence of godly brothers. I’m so thankful you were given this gift! What a treasure. ❤️
Katie, I feel this so deeply. I have tried to write a similar piece a million times and you captured the importance of brothers and sisters so beautifully. As a single women in my 30s who has dozens of incredible sisters, it’s the friendship, encouragement, and being known by my brothers (the husbands of those sisters) that has been such a help in contentment. I treasure their words, their encouragement, thier friendship so deeply and I need it to remember that there is no shortage of family in my life. No shortage of good men in this broken world. It matters so deeply and it’s on of my greatest prayers for the church, that we would grow in healthy, holy, god-honoring friendship as brothers and sisters.
"My mom raised me" is all he had to say. God is so good, Katie. Look at how he has provided your girlfriends and their husbands to envelop you in love, support, strength, and grace. We need so much more of that in this world. I pray this kind of community continues to provide a firm foundation for you and your family. Sending you so much love!
Katie, I am so moved by this piece and will think about it often. I am equipped to be a better friend because of your willingness to share your stories. 💛💛
Katie! This is such an important message in a society that often denigrates and infantilizes men, and it made me cry. Godly men are a gift, and I'm so, so thankful you have some in your corner.
Jokes on you, I was already planning on sobbing this afternoon.
WOW. What a beautiful piece of writing. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Katie! 😭😭 God totally gave you the courage to ask for that kind of gathering and blessed you for being brave. He’s got you. Also, I knew you had a village, but, man, those guys stepped up to the plate. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays and thank you for loving my wife well.
Couldn't see through the tears to finish reading...Goodness, this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us!
This gutted me in the best way. One of my closest friends just finalized her own divorce last week, so it hit very close to my heart. Thank you for sharing!
This is SO beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
really, really stunning.
wow. This is so beautiful. true true friendship and communion!!
My husband asked, “are your allergies bad today?” Nope. Just read this beautiful essay. Loved this, Katie. Words have so much power and help us endure in this race.
Beautiful. You completely captured the nuance of being single... and still needing the friendships of men / couples. When I was newly married, my husband deployed on submarines - next to zero communication for months at a time. So many husbands of my civilian friends didn't know what category I fell into. It was a select but almost 20 years later still very dear-to-me few who figured out I was still me, sans spouse, and we could navigate right through the weirdness to real friendship.
I needed this. I was left 5 months ago (physically) and many years before that in all other respects. The loss of friendships has been yet another devastating part of one person’s choices.
What a beautiful piece of writing. When you make someone cry when they don’t even have the benefit of knowing you, you’ve done a good work. Restacking.
Excuse me while I dry my tears!! So incredibly beautiful. And yes. I too feel the need for and appreciate the presence of godly brothers. I’m so thankful you were given this gift! What a treasure. ❤️