In early 2016, two neighbor ladies showed up at my door because their son was friends with one of my kids. I had no idea that within just a couple of months, one of those women would become my best friend.

Amber and her wife were so much fun to be around. I hadn’t really had close friends — at least not ones without other motives — since my school days. Our kids played together while we talked for hours, had drinks, lit bonfires, grilled out, and enjoyed the simple kind of time that turns into real friendship.

Then in early 2017, Amber got sick. At first it seemed like just a cold, but it kept getting worse instead of better. She was treated with antibiotics, yet nothing changed. Long story short, things escalated until she ended up in the hospital on ECMO and in a medically induced coma. Doctors ran test after test, but no one could give Amber or her wife clear answers about why this was happening or even exactly what was wrong.

Eventually, Amber was diagnosed with COP (cryptogenic organizing pneumonia). She spent many weeks in the hospital, and when she was finally able to go home, life looked very different. She was permanently on oxygen, tethered to tanks through a cannula, and her lungs continued to slowly deteriorate as doctors monitored her condition.

So much has happened in the years since — for Amber and her family, and around them. They lost a son. They divorced. Through it all, Amber has shown an incredible strength and resilience, continuing to move forward despite the hardships and the ongoing health challenges.

A little over three years ago, Amber met Amy, and they fell in love. Amy has been such a blessing in Amber’s life. She has loved her deeply and stood by her side, helping care for her as her health continued to decline.

Just a few short months ago, Amber began the long and difficult process of being evaluated and approved for the double lung transplant list. The transplant team warned Amber and Amy that finding a match might be difficult because of Amber’s smaller size and specific antibodies, which made the odds feel even more uncertain.

Then on February 9th, she got the call.

Amber and Amy rushed to the hospital, where they had to wait more than 24 hours while doctors confirmed the lungs were truly the right match. It was an emotional, exhausting waiting game — but this time, the waiting paid off.

Amber made it through her transplant surgery, and now begins the long road of recovery. Healing from something this big doesn’t happen overnight. Right now, her body is learning how to accept and work with her new lungs, and she’s slowly building back strength day by day. Some days are harder than others, and progress can feel frustratingly slow, but every small step forward matters — sitting up, standing, breathing a little easier than before. Each of those moments is proof that her body is fighting and healing.

Amy has been right there through it all — loving her, supporting her, advocating for her, and walking beside her every step of this journey. Recovery like this isn’t just physical; it takes patience, strength, and a whole lot of love, and Amber is lucky to have someone so devoted in her corner.

What matters most is that Amber is still here, surrounded by people who love her, and she’s moving in the right direction. There is hope in every breath she takes, and in the stubbornness and determination she’s always carried — strengthened now by the support of the life she and Amy are building together.

Amber and I have both been walking through our own medical challenges, and we made a promise: when we’re both healed and stronger again, the three of us are going to go do things together. Simple things. Fun things. The kind of things you plan when the future finally feels open again instead of uncertain.

And that’s the picture I’m holding onto — friends reunited, stronger, breathing easier, and finally getting to step back into life together. After everything Amber has fought through, and with Amy beside her, this transplant isn’t just another chapter.

It’s the beginning of a new one.