Photo by Kent Gastreich

Some people may look at this picture and say, “Awww.” I look at this picture and say, “What was I wearing?”

A three year-old girl climbs onto a huge rock at Elephant Rocks and shouts, “I’m the queen of the world!” Soon after Cooper, a four year-old boy climbs on and says, “And I’m King!” The two had been best friends for as long as they could remember. They had grown up together, shared the greatest joys and troubles in life, and they hadn’t even learned how to tie their shoes. Becca and Cooper had grown up together in a small Methodist Church and had been best friends since Becca’s first Sunday when she was just a few weeks old.

“Look at those kids, would you,” Cooper’s dad, Dennis said to the other adults.

“They really are about as adorable as they come,” Becca’s mom added.

“Hey Beck, Coop, look here,” Jerry, a tall graying man stood in front of them with a camera poised to capture the kids. “Say cheese!”

“Cheeesseee!”

“Great,” Jerry said enthusiastically.

Over the years, the two kids have grown up together and changed in many ways. But one thing has remained unchanged. Although they go to different schools, have different lives, and only see each other weekly at church, they still have a special connection. They were each other’s first best friends and no one can ever take that away or change that in any way.

Since that picture was taken, fifteen years ago, Becca and Cooper are still best friends and continue to attend regularly to their meeting place, Maplewood United Methodist Church. Because of this single church, their lives have been drastically influenced. People can’t imagine their lives without that church. Some say it is just a building, but it is so much more than that. It is a family. Once you step foot into that family, your life will never be the same.