Tree Treasures No. 23: When Friendship Becomes Family

This simple wooden ornament hangs in memory of our best friend Brad, who passed away in 2016.

You know those friends who quietly become family? That was Brad. For more than twenty years, he was “Uncle Brad” to our kids. He filled the gap of Dave and I being only children without ever trying to. He was Dave’s best friend and mine too, though I didn’t fully understand how deeply until he was gone.

I had no idea it would be the last picture I’d ever take with him, laughing and doing one of his ridiculous Christmas suit moments. Six months later, he was gone. Another reminder of how fragile and precious life really is.

The leg lift? That was our thing. The “Brad & Cathy” signature pose. We did it every chance we got, never thinking one day it would turn into something sacred.

There will never be another Brad. Our grandson even carries his name, because that’s how much he mattered to us. He was woven into our family story in a way that can’t be explained on paper.

Some friendships don’t make sense to outsiders. On paper, Dave and Brad’s relationship shouldn’t have worked. In real life, it was built on loyalty, deep respect, laughter, and love. Those are the friendships worth telling stories about. The kind that change you forever.

He is missed every single day.

Do you have a friend who became family and still holds a place in your heart today?

If you enjoy nostalgic holiday stories, I’m also sharing my Christmas memories in a new series called Christmas Stories Throughout the Years.