Now, it really would be impossible to keep going on this journey without introducing you to the hosts, and one of the most pivotal couples in my life: Payton and Sam. If you missed the intro to this series, go ahead and check out the first two posts here (#1 and #2).

You know those friends who, under any circumstance, will be there for you without question? Maybe in your circle, you are that friend. Well, besides my husband, I’ve yet to meet two people who this applies to more readily. Payton and Sam are the type of friends who, without further needing a reason besides their friendship and care for others, will drop everything to help another. Payton and Sam do an amazing job of living out the love Jesus has for others in their daily walk and spiritual walks as well.

As hosts, I can’t say enough positive things related to the warm, welcoming attitude Payton and Sam exude to others. They embrace peoples’ likeness and differences wholeheartedly and have an amazing skill of finding things in common with other people.

When I began attending this group, I was single. However, soon after attending this group, I met who would become my future husband, and he attended the group with me weekly. I knew from personal experience how intimidating it could be to join a group where you knew no one. I knew this to be true even more so for a man, and someone not previously involved in the church, to be especially true.

The first meeting where Jordan joined me, he came separately due to circumstances outside my control. He also came late because I wasn’t able to be there for the initial portion of the group, which meant he was waiting on me to join in for the evening. He completely embraced this situation and came regardless. I will say, I was nervous. Here I was introducing a new man to some of the couples I was absolutely closest with, and some of the men who looked after me like brothers.

I soon realized I had no reason to be nervous. The men met Jordan with such jovial, lightheartedness, it would be impossible to replicate. Two men in particular come to mind: Payton and Adam. Since this week is focused on Payton and Sam, I’ll keep the focus there.

Payton went above and beyond to make Jordan feel comfortable, invite him into conversation, and introduce him to the other men in the group. These two clicked almost immediately and well, it’s pretty much been a bromance ever since. Sam exerted extra effort to involve Jordan and I in conversation together as well, which really tugged at my heartstrings, because I was beginning to care for Jordan a whole lot.

Beyond their warmness and welcoming attitudes, Payton and Sam relentlessly served and opened their home weekly to a large group of fellow believers. They led with conviction, grace, and truth, and brought people together because of their ability to link traits and likenesses within a group. Hosting is undoubtedly one of their spiritual gifts prominent in their marriage, and they lean into that strength while faithfully serving the Lord.

Their friendship has been pivotal in my own life, and I know my husband’s life as well. These are the type of lifelong friends people can only hope for, and we are lucky enough to be blessed with. In fact, I will say their hosting skills go so above and beyond, at one point, they allowed Jordan to live with them prior to our marriage when his roommate sold his home in order to keep us walking in the direction we wanted for our own marriage. Now that is a win of a friendship.

Payton and Sam, we truly hit the jackpot with y’all. If we haven’t said it enough in the last 5 years (wow!), we love y’all so much and are so blessed by you both. Thank you, for everything.