So Close to My Heart

Meet Jibenibifiber Wibiliby Niberdibin.  That's Jenn to you.

She's my best-y.

And I love her.

[Isn't she gorgeous?]

This is Sean-athan.  But don't call him that.  He doesn't like it. :)  To you, it's Sean.

If you ever get to meet him in real life, ask him about the Ride-Mobile.  I miss it.  I'm sure he does too.

Sean's my best-y too.

Yup.  He's a boy.  Got a problem?

Cause he pretty much rocks.

I've known Jenn since we were in Junior High.  We hung out in the same group of friends, but it was a massive group, so we didn't really get to know each other until high school.

Funny story?  In 7th grade I didn't know who Jenn was, but I knew who Jenn WAS.  I was scared of her.  She was kinda gangsta (ha, ha, remember that style we all rocked back in the day?).  I could have sworn she was a ninth grader.  She was the cool kid.  Always surrounded by friends.  Intimidating.  Then I got to know her, and I was like "WHAAATT?!?!?"  She's awesome.  Still is.

Sean and I became good friends in high school.  He was best buddies with my high school sweetheart.  So we pretty much got to know each other well.  Sean can always make me laugh.  Especially with his bluntness.  He also used to love to exploit my involuntary reaction to excessive sugar.  Let's just say he has encouraged feeding me lots of sugar for his sole entertainment.   Thanks Sean.

Do you know what makes Sean and Jenn even more awesome?

Our Junior year of high school these two met and started dating.  Since I was already friends with each of them, it was extra fun for me.  I got to know each of them even more, and I pretty much knew we'd be together forever.

But polygamy is dead.

So Jenn and Sean decided that they would get married, and just let me tag along.

For reals.  I was their third wheel for like the first year or two of their marriage.


And they never complained.

They were just true friends.

There for all my ups and downs.   All my happiness and sadness.

And thank goodness. Because they were there for me during some times when all I really needed were good true friends.

I LOVE THEM.

They are fun people too.

They've taught me how to snowboard [because they are both pretty much pros].

We've camped together.

Played sports together.

Laughed and cried together.

They even introduced me to my husband Jeff.

So I guess they could add matchmaker to their resume too.

Sean and Jenn have been married for almost 7 years.  All together they have been a couple for 10.

That's crazy!

Don't worry, I always tease them about being senior citizens at this point.  It's not my fault they started out so early.


These two are big into family.  How do I know?   Duh.  Have you not been reading?  I've known them forever.

Just kidding.  But really, they are.  They both have families that they are close too.

Being so family oriented, it's only natural that Jenn and Sean want nothing more than to have a family of thier own.

They will be awesome parents.

If they are even a fraction as good of parents as they are at being my friend,

well let's just say, their kids are LUCKY.

For reals.

Sean and Jenn have been trying to start a family for three years now.

It's been rough. 

Jenn just found out that she has a disorder that leaves her chances of ever getting pregnant at less than 8%.

I've had some words with the Big Man Upstairs concerning this, but I for now I just have to trust that He knows what He's doing.  [Because in the end, He always does.]

Even if it doesn't make sense, and it's JUST. NOT. FAIR.

These two have been through a lot.  But have they given up?  NO.

They will grow their family whatever it takes.

But they need your help.

Sean and Jenn are trying to adopt.

They had thought about adoption for awhile, but never too seriously since they were in the midst of some grueling fertility treatments.

But one day in church, Jenn suddenly got a feeling.

She was meant to be a mother.  And she was meant to ADOPT.

When she tells you the story, you can't help but know it's true.

A few weeks later she got her diagnosis.

And now here we are.

You might think I'm biased, and say "of course you think they'd be great parents."

But ask anyone.  They will.

Sean and Jenn have been handed a lot of heartache.  Instead of complaining, they've used it to strengthen their marriage, bolster their testimony, and grow their conviction that they will be parents.

And they will.

Because they deserve it.

And gosh darn it.  Their future children deserve it too.

We need your help spreading the word.

Grab a button off my sidebar.  Tell all your bloggy friends to grab one too.

You never know who might know someone who knows someone who knows someone who.....you get the point.

We're working miracles here people.

Sean and Jenn's first child is out there somewhere.  Even if he or she is still just an idea in Heavenly Father's plan.

It's our job to help bring all the players together.

Tell all your friends.

Tell your family.

Tell your neighbors.

Sean and Jenn are Hoping to Adopt!

I could never put into words what Sean and Jenn mean to me.

Nor could I ever articulate all the reasons why I know that they will be wonderful parents raising confident, loved children who are encouraged and supported to fulfill every dream and ambition.

I mean, how could you?  I just created the longest run on sentence ever just trying.

It's unexplainable.

How do you describe the beauty of a relationship you've watched grow from young love to a mature bond?  And then explain how it didn't just happen, but that it came out of years of pain, happiness, trials, and triumphs?

How do you try to tell someone why your best friends deserve to be a mother and father?

It's impossible.

But I've tried.

In closing I leave you with and excerpt of my reference questionnaire filled out as part of the adoption application process.  After answering multiple questions and filling five single-spaced pages with explanation and opinion [those adoption case workers obviously didn't know what they were getting into with me], I was posed with the following question:

"Is There Any Other Information You'd Like to Share?"

Pshh!  Do they know who I am?  Ashley.  The over sharer.  I felt like I should have told them.  But instead I ended with this.

"Jenn and Sean are my two very best friends. I was lucky enough to get to know each of them separate of the other. I have been friends with Jenn since junior high, and with Sean since high school. Knowing how much I adore the both of them, it was exciting when they finally met each other and became a couple. They had an instant connection, one that you knew would stand the test of time. They are genuine people, and hard-working people. Never has anything ever been handed to them materially, or in terms of their relationship. Everything they have they, they have achieved together.


The two of them have meant so much to me over the years, and I feel very fortunate to have watched every step of their relationship as it has grown from a young high school love to the supportive team they have become now. If anyone deserves to have a family of their own, it is Jenn and Sean. They have worked hard to get their relationship to where it is now. They will be wonderful parents. They will love and adore every child placed in their arms. I only hope that any birthparent considering them will really take the time to understand the type of people that Jenn and Sean are. They are beautiful people, and with their children they will make a beautiful family."

And I truly believe EVERY. SINGLE. WORD.

Please go to their blog.

Learn more about them.

Spread the word.

Thank you.