The Family You Choose

Day 55 — Gratitude Sunday

March 1, 2026

Today I am thankful.

I’m thankful because I have friends. Two friends, specifically, who over the years have become not just friends — but family. Chosen family. The kind that is just as close as blood.

Last night we went to dinner at Whiskey Cake, a really cool eatery in Oklahoma City that serves freshly prepared, locally sourced food. The K’s sat across the table from us, and we talked about everyday things — family, activities, what everyone’s been up to. And all of that was wonderful in itself. But as I sat there and listened, I had to soak in just how good and right all of it felt.

These are the people who have been there through the hard times. These are the people we know we can count on, depend on, trust. These are friendships that started when we were barely twenty years old and have lasted almost three decades. And they’ll last from here.

You don’t get this kind of depth without taking years of time to just be friends.

There have been seasons where we didn’t get to see each other as much as we wanted. We were in Texas for nine of those years, and it made things tough. But we stayed dedicated — visiting several times a year, driving back and forth, staying in each other’s homes. One of their daughters even mentioned that she loved having us back in town, but that she missed us living in the DFW area because they didn’t get to go on road trips like they used to. That made me smile, because even in the distance, we had built something that was enjoyable. Something worth driving to.

It’s the process of getting to be with people you’re this close to. Just to share in their life. To know that you’re part of their story and they’re part of yours. To see their successes. To be there when they hurt. I love every bit of it. I love having these kinds of friendships because I know they are rare.

In today’s world, you don’t find this just anywhere. You can’t rush it. You can’t manufacture it. You build it one dinner, one visit, one road trip, one hard conversation at a time — over years and years and years.

The Bible says there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. It’s true. That’s what the K’s have been to us. Not just friends. Family. Not by blood by choice.

So thankful for you.