The Men in My Life

Over the weekend a friend was gracious enough to let me borrow her car while she went out of town. Transportational freedom! Even with all the snow Denver got blasted with over the weekend I was ever grateful to have a way to run some extra errands and meet with some people farther away.

However, on Friday I had a slight change of plans when the car battery died. I will spare you the details, but after several jumps, a new battery and enlisting the help of some awesome men I was back in good shape. As I came home Friday night I started thinking about the men in my life. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a wealth of guy friends. Maybe it is because I have two brothers, or maybe that's just how I roll. I have blogged about some of my guy friends before, but today, I want to highlight two in particular. They usually go unnoticed, and are as humble as their male egos will let them be. These two are the "heroes" of my car conundrum over the weekend and definitely deserve a shout out.

Everyone, meet Chris. He is my baby brother. Well, he is nearly 21 and stands a good eight inches taller than me. In the last year or so he has taught me how to change a tire and how to jump a car. Honestly, I would much rather play the role of "damsel in distress" and have a guy do those things for me. But every time Chris makes me get out of the car and learn how to do it myself. I don't know if he sees it or not, but that tells me he loves me enough to not be totally helpless with car stuff. (Which I am...)  Chris has something special in store for his life and I cannot wait to see him discover it.

This is Devin. He is my oldest friend going all the way back to my Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je days. He (and his dad) are the big heroes of the battery dilemma. When someone loves sports as much as Devin does and turns off the game to come help...believe me it does not go unnoticed. All four hours he and his dad were there, teaching me how to change a battery, knowing exactly what the issues were and well, just being awesome.  Many people don't understand why Devin and I are friends, but there's history there.  When you have shared enough of life together you can't just let them go.  Seriously, you should know Devin.  He is one of my favorite people in the world.  And, his family has single-handedly given me hope for restoration in family.  Go Team Howard!

As I talk to some of my girl friends most of us agree on one thing. Men (or one man in particular) are desired for times just like this. Someone to come to our rescue when we just don't know what to do. Sometimes I get upset because I don't feel like I can call my dad for help with cars, but I am constantly amazed at God's goodness for exactly where I am in life. More often than I care to admit I forget to thank God for the little things. I am never forgotten and He is always with me.

So thanks Abba Father for always having my back and sending some great men in my life to help me out when you just can't be there in person.


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People You Should Meet - Ben McKee

I wish Ben and I had a better story of how we met, but that doesn't seem to matter anymore.

I first met Ben last July when I was feeling lonely and about to walk into a particularly trying time at work.  I signed up for an online dating site and noticed Ben within a week.  It didn't take long for us to start talking via e-mail.

Ben and I hit it off right away.  One of those connections where I felt like we had known each other for years.  It was only a few days later before we met at one of our favorite coffee shops downtown.  Six hours later we decided to see a movie the next day.

As I got to know Ben I didn't know if he would turn into "something more,"  but I was convinced if anything he would become an amazing friend.

For the rest of the year our friendship developed very slowly.  A coffee here, a phone conversation a couple months later.  Every time we spoke I was deeply encouraged and challenged to become a better person or work on my relationship with God.  Ben was definitely in my life for a reason.

For my birthday Ben, along with our mutual friend, Eric, took me out for the evening.  They were very intent on making me feel special and loved on my birthday.  Success!  Beer sampling, Avatar and dinner.  What a awesome night.

He always made time to hear my heart and talk me through my discouragement with Poland.  My heart always felt more calm after a conversation with Ben.  One of these conversations led to him filming a video for me to use in sharing my heart for Poland.  All his idea, I just had to show up with my dance skills and a few friends.  Done and done.  Ben was a rockstar.

Making the video and all the time we spent together planning and executing it just deepened our friendship.  He has become this key part of my life that I am so grateful for.  I have never had someone be so skilled in de-stressing me when I am freaking out.  Always bringing me back to earth and gently reminding me that I am a child of God and everything will be ok.

Right now we are in the thrust of summer concert season and since we share a deep passion for many of the same bands this has been so much fun.  Free tickets to see Daughtry last month, the final Denver show for Meese and tomorrow, floor tickets to see OneRepublic.

I am having a lot of fun.  Ben simply knows how to make me laugh and feel safe and cared for all at the same time.  Who knows if it will ever turn into anything more, but for now.  I am ok with where we are at.  I would never want to compromise our friendship by trying to force a relationship.

If you ever have the chance to meet Ben, take it up.    Take a chance to pick his brain about the best beer (one of his passions) or where to find the best cold-pressed coffee in Denver.  You will learn more than you ever wanted to know!  Just stay away from the subject of recycling...just kidding.  He is from Oregon and his earth consciousness resembles that of a Boulder-ite.  Ben is great really, you should know him.