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Some days I sit and laugh when I remember my college days. I have some pretty great memories running around with roommates, laughing about nonsense, creating chaos, baking treats (or buying them) at 2 am, sharing secrets, imagining our futures, playing silly pranks, practicing makeup tricks, (and yes, I went to class too), etc.Â
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I have been thinking a lot about one of my past roommates a lot lately. Her name is Katie. And she and I were crazy together. We were both tall (our roommates called us the twin towers), both laughed a lot, and both loved to stay up late talking about our day/love interests/neighborhood gossip. We often laughed about nonsense. And made fun out of boredom. And ate goat cheese (and chips) late at night. We had a lot of random fun.
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(Pics are from 2003-2004)
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Katie and I have been through a lot together. And she was even there on my wedding day.Â
(I can’t find a real wedding snapshop of us together right this second…..but here’s a random one of us chatting by the stairs.)
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She has been such a dear friend to me.
. . .
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When Katie had her second baby boy a little over a year ago, they found out that little Dylan was born with a surprise. They call that surprise his “lucky leg” (like ‘Finding Nemo’). Dylan was born with a condition called called Fibular Hemimelia and Congenital Short Femur. And because of that condition, his left leg is about 30% shorter than his right one. (He has no fibula in his lower leg and his femur bone is shorter.)
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Here he is as a tiny baby. His foot from his full grown leg is on the left and the foot from the shorter leg is on the right.
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Dylan has otherwise been growing perfectly well. And is increasingly curious and independent. Oh, and he pretty much has the most gorgeous set of blue eyes/lashes I’ve ever seen. (Except his older brother has a darn beautiful set too!)
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That little leg has made a fighter out of of this now little 13 month old boy. He has some serious fire in his blood. Check him out cruising on his lucky leg.
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And it’s because of Dylan that I have been thinking a lot about Katie lately. Well, and her whole family. I just know she and her husband Bryson have a lot on their plate. And worry a lot about little Dylan. They have done a lot of research, asked a lot of questions, and prayed many prayers……and have decided that it would be best to amputate little Dylan’s leg. They know that he will have a much better quality of life, using a prosthetic leg.Â
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Little Dylan is all set for surgery for this Wednesday, January 11th. Yay.
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Katie and Bryson have been really optimistic since having baby Dylan. They know all things happen for a reason and they have a lot of faith that all will be well with Dylan. But I know they have bad days. And I know they worry.  So if you have a moment, please include Dylan (and the whole family) in your prayers. And if you aren’t the praying type, please send good thoughts and well wishes their way. They would appreciate it.
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I just love that little Dylan……..and I love his momma dearly!
So I just had to share a little piece of their story here.Â
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And share my admiration for this sweet little 13 month old boy.
(all images from here)
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Best of luck Dylan!Â
Our prayers are with you kiddo! Can’t wait to see you cruisin’ around on your NEW lucky leg!! Â
. . .
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If you want to read more about Dylan and his leg journey, Katie writes a blog all about him here.Â
(And if you want to ask Katie any questions, I’m sure she would love to answer them. She’s become an expert on this topic!!)
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