It seems like forever ago when Chad was in his best friend’s wedding.
He looks so young there.
The funny thing was that not quite two weeks before the wedding, Chad walked in and said “Can you make a quilt for Joe and Sue (not their real names) for their wedding? Hmm . . I guess I can. Chad told me their colors in their room were orange and cream. I began designing a quick quilt and had all the pieces up on the design wall. It was now about a week before the wedding. Chad walked by it and said “What size is that quilt going to be?” I think it was going to be about 85 x 95. No . . they have a queen size bed and Chad insisted it go all the down the sides. Luckily, I was able to just add more blocks, it ended up being about 98 x 102, got the top finished, got it quilted and bound and delivered to the wedding.
Fast forward almost 10 years.
I’ve been talking to a realtor about a house (no questions please!) and thought maybe they sent me a message on FB so I checked the “message requests” tab, where messages go that aren’t from my friends. I had a message from the husband!
I was trying to read the message to Vince and I was crying. It was happy tears but Vince said “Why are you crying?” Men! That is so sweet! It’s so sweet that he’s such a sweet and considerate husband to even think of doing this. It’s especially touching to me because this is the family I’ve mentioned on here several times before. I credit them with totally turning Chad’s life around. When we left KY the end of 2006, all of Chad’s close friends were not the people I would have chosen for him. I feared he was headed down the wrong path quickly. Not that his vehicle has a whole lot to do with it but Chad laughed at the guys who drove pickup trucks and fished and hunted . . rednecks he said. Chad had a little sports car and he was way too sophisticated to be caught in a pickup, hunting or fishing.
The guy who’s asking for the quilt . . he’s one of the first kids Chad met when we got to MO. I don’t even remember how they met but they became instant friends. The hunting and fishing began. The total living off the land began. Chad was fishing with this guy in a pond when he slapped at a bug on his face, knocked his glasses in the pond. They went and asked the farmer if they could drain the pond, he agreed, they did and still didn’t find Chad’s glasses.
He was with this same guy when he tangled up with an electric fence . . discussed in this post.
And this is the accident Chad had leaving their house one day!
That wasn’t such a great memory but it was all part of his friendship with this guy. That accident happened because he was looking for his cell phone instead of paying attention. We were all so lucky no one was hurt and that 10,000 acre corn field didn’t catch on fire. It was August and very dry. I have no idea how it didn’t go up in smoke. The car . . up in smoke!
Anyway . .
This guy’s family had a whole bunch of kids .. 7 maybe. The entire family just welcomed Chad, took him in as one of their own. He went on trips with them, he ate at their house, he stayed at their house, they were/are an amazing family and I truly do think they, without even realizing it, totally changed Chad’s life, and thus, greatly improved my life.
So, I feel very honored to be asked to make their 10th Anniversary Quilt and I am thrilled that I was able to say “Yes! I will be happy to make it!”
Diane Russell says
Chad is a very lucky guy to have such a friend. It seems like most kids these days only want to play on their devices. They obviously carry you in a special place, asking to make another quilt is how they are honoring you.
As we all know sometimes it is the little things that make the big difference. Enjoy making the quilt and just think of all the love and good memories and thankfulness that will go into it. Lovely story.
Laura says
This is the quilt that drew me to your site. I still haven’t made it, but I still love it.
montanaclarks says
Oh my goodness–have I really been reading your blog for ten years because I remember that quilt???
Tee says
I had the same thought! Judy – you draw people to you for a reason!
Becky says
What an honor to be asked for another quilt because they love the first one so! And wow! Chad’s adventures sound so much like my oldest child’s. Thankfully they eventually grow into responsible, loving men.
Sherrill Pecere says
Ooo, I can’t WAIT to see it! (can’t believe you got that first one made in 2 wks or less!!!!!)
Ava says
I remember that quilt too! Funny how things bring us together. You are such a great mom.
Andrea says
Wow! The kind of people who will take you in and make you one of their own don’t come around very often. How fortunate for Chad that these two found each other, and it’s beyond awesome that he so appreciated that gift that he wants another.
Dottie says
Reading this was bringing tears to my eyes, too – happy tears. We never know how much we mean to people and his note is the icing on the cake.
Tricia says
Holy crickets! I’ve been reading your blog for OVER A DECADE?! That’s like a common-law marriage right there. Hmmm…I always wanted to be married to a chef…!
cassews says
What a wonderful thing you are going to do for them .. Same colors ?
Nelle Coursey says
What an amazing guy! And what an honor to you for him to love your quilt so much he would want to get her another one. At least he gave you a little more time to get the new one done!!
dezertsuz says
That is such a great story! I look forward to seeing each step you do on this quilt. Please blog it, if you can. This is truly a wonderful gift to you, and a wonderful quilt will come to them.
sue says
Awwww how sweet. And WOW I remember that quilt and the burning car story, you must feel honored to be asked all these years later. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, made me wonder where my Alex Anderson’s quilt block swap we all did is hiding. Can’t wait to see what you make, I love watching you make your creations. Stay Warm my friend.
Helene says
This post gave me goosebumps. I’m another long-time reader because I remember that quilt and the burning car and all those memories. God surely blessed the day those two met. I look forward to watching you make the quilt and I know it will be a labor of love. Men – they can surprise you!