{ 26.2 miles }

Meet our good friends Nate & Ashley:

They're our best "couple" friends.  My husband, Adam and Nate have been best buds since 7th grade, which is ironically when Ashley & I also met!  Although Ashley & I didn't know Adam & Nate then [ they are a few years older & went to different schools than us ], we grew close quickly when we realized both our dad's were pastors and we lived in the same neighborhood.  We've remained close over the years, and same with Adam & Nate, who are both now attorneys. 

After my husband & I started dating I met his best bud Nate, and I quickly realized what a nice, genuine, good [and single!] guy he was and the match making began... I let Nate know I just so happened to have a single, beautiful, sweet [and single!] friend (ashley!).  They started dating about 5 months after Adam & I and they have been together ever since!

We love hanging out with these two because they're so laid back, down to earth, and always up for a good time.  Often times we make plans last minute and end up having a blast.  We were so happy to have them be a part of our wedding, as they've been there for us a ton - not only as a couple, but before we all even knew each other. 

We've taken many trips with them [renting a house boat on Shasta Lake was one of my favorites!] too and this past weekend we went with them to Newport, OR.  Nate's Christmas present to Ash was that he was going to train with her for months and run a marathon with her [ how cute + creative is that?!]  this is something they've both always wanted to do. 

Adam, Ashley's family & I all went and cheered them on to the finish line.  We were so proud, and yelled our head's off!  We even made shirts & signs and followed them along the course at various stops to keep encouraging them.  They're both studs and finished just a little over 4 hours - FOUR HOURS OF RUNNING!!!  They made it look easy, and Ashley is already talking about the next marathon she wants to run! :]

Here are some pictures of our fun weekend, the awesome beach house we all stayed at, and more...

they're in such awesome shape & I'm pretty sure NOTHING moved at all on Ashley - she has zero body fat!!!

almost finished!

 They were troopers, especially since it was only supposed to be a high of 62 that day and it ended up being 75 degrees!!!  Running outside, for 4 hours, very early on a Saturday is tough, but ESPECIALLY tough in that heat when they trained for months in the rainy, cold weather!

{ashley, above & nate, crossing the finish line}

Not only did they finish their first marathon, they both got amazing times!

they made us SO proud!

The cheer squad!

We bbq'd & celebrated when they were done, back at the beach house.

 post run, just relaxing & watching the sun set!

they also celebrated their 3rd anniversary this weekend!

our amazing view, from the balcony

It was a wonderful weekend, with awesome friends, & inspiring moments!

Nate & Ash - you guys make a great team!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!