My children are so very blessed to be growing up in a world with a forever friend. I'm sure we all have these people, the ones who aren't technically family but are totally family. Know what I mean? The people you don't remember meeting: you've just known and loved them your entire life. They aren't your siblings or cousins; but your parents are best friends or something like that, so that makes you best friends. Right?

I wanted this kind of friendship for my children because forever friends are the people who know you as you are--not as the person you are supposed to be. Growing up and eventually growing old with someone who just gets you (period) affords you the freedom to try, to fail, to dream, to change your mind, and to do it all over again because--no matter what--you've got someone in your corner.

Some day I know I will disagree with my kids. I know I'm not going to understand them or a decision they've made on an occasion or eight. And in those moments, I hope they turn to people who know and love them like I do--their siblings, family, and forever friends.

Jo and Perci were born nine days apart and will be turning three in a few weeks. And in honor of their birthdays (or because I was babysitting and Henry took a long nap), I captured these photos of their friendship. I also took a few photos of Henry, captured after these two tiptoed into his bedroom and began performing stunts while he slept in bed.