Inspired by Nicole

This blog is about inspiration, and there are so many things in the world that inspire! This past weekend, my class of 1999 from Cullman, celebrated our 10 year class reunion. While it was so good to see everyone, smile, laugh, stay out late (winks), and remember, it was especially inspirational to learn that there are people who have been through some tough times.
We arrived Friday night at the Windbrook Barn to learn that a guy named Daniel Montgomery has a very difficult battle with liver cancer. Daniel and I shared the position of class musician our senior year. He was an awesome musician and martial artist among other things, and his challenge was THE representation of strength and inspiration for Friday night.
Saturday night, it was so good to see one of my oldest friends, David Heptinstall, and his precious wife, Nicole. I have known David since 1st grade, and we are definitely two kindred spirits. We share similar outlooks on life, positivity, and appreciation for people and where we come from. I didn't know it while playing at his house in the first grade, but David's mom would take over the job of cheer leading coach and become one of the most influential people in my life. High school cheer leading was always fun, but when Donna took over the job as a new teacher and coach, she looked to her captains and upperclassmen and gave us responsibilities and privileges that we might not have normally received, and that taught us so much. Donna taught us through her authenticity, her work ethic, her absolute love for us and our school, her tears, her strength, her celebration, her energy, the list goes on and on.
It is so fitting that David would marry someone just like 'Mom'. Nicole was very young when she found out she had breast cancer, and began to fight. Through sad smiles, David and Nicole shared their inspirational story with Blake and me. I just wanted to say that you guys have touched my heart and inspired me, and my prayers are all around you two and your current and future family. Looking so forward to getting together soon!