Happy Birthday Cortney!!!

I know I don't post on all of my friends birthdays...I wish I could but, this is one friend I really wanted to post a little message about.

Cortney (http://www.neilandcort.blogspot.com/) is my most inspiring friend. Just like all of us she never imagined her life would play out like it has. In May 2005, Brandon, Jace, and I moved to Houston. I was pregnant with Kai and was hospitalized for a kidney infection two weeks after we moved here. This is when I met Cortney. We had met at church the Sunday before and as soon as she heard I was in the hospital she immediately came to my rescue. She watched Jace daily as Brandon worked 10 hour days at his new job. She brought Jace to visit me in the hospital. She instantly became my new best friend.

Shortly after Kai was born Cortney had an appointment with our OBGYN where she learned that the baby inside her was not growing. Our Dr. felt something was seriously wrong and recommended the baby be aborted. After much prayer and fasting, Cortney and her husband Nic, decided to move to Utah to see a specialist there. The specialist confirmed that her baby was not gaining weight but, was still alive. After many months of monitoring, baby Avery was born healthy and weighing just over 5lbs. Their faith and positive attitudes amazed me.

As the months went on they faced many more trials. Avery was in the hospital two months after birth for RSV, their two year old son was run over by a 2,000lb truck on Cortney's parents farm and was in Primary Children's for a month. It was an absolute miracle that he even lived. Again, Cortney and Nick's faith and will to not give up amazed me. Everytime I was with them I felt like I was a better person simply by being friends with them.

It was the next trial that changed Cortney's life forever. Her husband Nic was snow mobiling February 17, 2007 and was killed in an avalanche. I have never seen a person in so much pain as I saw Cortney in. She was practically living in the temple. Trying to find comfort to the aching pain she felt in her heart. But again, her faith amazed me. She did not give up. Her testimony was stronger than ever. This is when Cortney became my most inspiring friend. Whenever I feel that I am facing a hard time in my life I remind myself of Cortney and the strength she always possesses. I remind myself to search the scriptures for answers and to attend the temple often like Cortney has. Her faith is amazing. Cortney lost her "Nic" when she was only 22 years old; leaving her with a 1 and a 2 year old. She soon realized that she did not want to be alone in this life and needed in someway to move on knowing that she would once again be reunited with Nic. She knew that because of the plan of salvation if she lived righteously she would return to our father in heaven and be reunited with Nic and their children.

A year and a half later Cortney is doing better than I could imagine. She still cries daily, but continues to have faith and be positive. She travels around Utah and Idaho speaking in sacrament meetings about her life and the faith it takes to make it. She did re-marry in September and has a very loving and supportive husband, Neil. He also is as amazing as Cortney and Nic.

Cortney, thanks for being such a great friend. I am so grateful that our paths crossed when they did. I hope you have the best birthday ever!!


Love, Alyssa