The Wedding Party: Abigail Bentley

I am so excited to tell y'all about my sweet friend, Abigail Bentley. Abigail and I met at Jennies Branch Baptist Church in youth group. I started attending Jennies Branch in June of 2010, and Abigail was basically born on one of the pews there. I knew of Abigail before we were in youth group together, but it wasn't until the summer before my sophomore year of high school that I truly got to know her heart. I was a little afraid of her at first because I felt like an outsider coming into this super close and tight-knit youth group. It didn't take long for us to forge a friendship though. We were usually the last two to leave from church on Sunday and Wednesday nights, and it was through many long talks on the swings and boisterous laughs on the Whirly Bird that I found one of the truest friends I've ever known. I was so sad to graduate high school because I thought my time with her was coming to a close - we didn't usually hang out outside of church and we wouldn't really have a "youth group" anymore as we were all going our separate ways in college. However, God saw fit to make Abigail and I even closer in these years after high school was finished, and I thank Him every day for her sweet spirit in my life.

Abigail and I have become each others' partners-in-crime over the last few years (and by "crime" I mean, we plan events together 😂). Our first summer after high school, Abigail and I got paired to help lead the youth during Vacation Bible School. We call the last week of July our "best friend week" because we are literally attached at the hip for a solid week straight. This was the start of the greatest dynamic duo of all time. Since that summer, we have helped lead three more youth VBS's and organized several holiday church functions together. Each time, our friendship grows more and more, and I honestly believe there is no better friend that you can have than Abigail Bentley.

One of my favorite memories with Abigail happened during one of these Vacation Bible School weeks. We had been going nonstop for a week straight, and commencement was the following night. We had so much to do to prepare for that, so we planned to stay for a little while after everyone had gone home to work out any of the kinks that might come up in the skit we were doing. We figured out how to work the sound system by ourselves (still proud of that), and we ran through the skit several times working out blocking and light cues. After all the work was done, we decided to just lay on the floor of the sanctuary and listen to the song that would be playing during the skit. We just laid there, side-by-side, listening to the music and taking in the beauty of this church we both love so much. I think it was in that moment that I knew Abigail and I would be friends forever because God had always been the very center of our friendship. Moments like these and so many more are what make Abigail so special to me.

Abigail is the strongest person I have ever met. She has taken on a life that she didn't plan for, but she has handled it with so much grace and love. She is equally beautiful on the outside and inside, and she always chooses to see the good in everyone. Her view of the world is one that is unlike anyone I have ever met. God has given her such a fresh perspective of the people and world around her, and it is so refreshing to me to listen to her take on life. She is one of my greatest encouragers, and I know whatever plans God has for Abigail Bentley, she will face them with courage, kindness, and humility. I can only imagine how proud her grandma is of her, and so am I! I am just honored to be a small part of her journey.

Abigail has seen almost every aspect of mine and Al's relationship. She has been there since the very beginning and has watched us grow together as a couple. I laughed out loud when Abigail told me she had known Al was going to propose to me since March (he proposed in October). Best secret keeper goes to her! The three of us have grown into young adults together, and it makes me so happy to know that Abigail loves Al just as much as she loves me. She is so supportive and is going to make the most beautiful and perfect bridesmaid.

 

Abba, in case you didn't know, you are one-of-a-kind to me. You will never know the impact you have on my life. Just yesterday, you called to check on me and asked how my heart and soul are doing, and all I could think was, "What did I do to deserve a friend like her?" You reflect Jesus in all you do, even when you don't realize it. I am so excited to have you stand by my side as I start this new journey in life. I will always love you more than you know!