Farewell, My Friends

Three years ago Autrey and I left BYU and moved far away from family to 'the middle of nowhere' here in St. Louis. Well, the middle of nowhere quickly became our new home and these are some of the people who became part of our amazing ward family:

The students at a graduation BBQ:

Ed and Cambria Ernstrom with Zack, Brig, and Rock

Autrey and I - sans Dylan. We left him at home with Aunt Elaine.

Trevor and Maria Gilbert with Reese

David and Val Miyasaki with Emery

Brad and Alicia Anderson with Addie

Jason and Shandra North with Jayden, Keegan, and Laughlin

Ben and Meggan Boston with Kate and Luke

Keith and Kristi Heideman

Dave and Julie Shelton with Isaac and Ryan

JJ and Tori Bell with Dominic and Amariah

Kristi, our wonderful hostess and life of the party

Meggan, my twin

A Jana sandwich

Jana and Meggan making fun of me and 'channeling their inner Shilo'. Of course I have to look like a goober pretending to be upset.

A delightful farewell tradition

Autrey is the only one attending Wash U in our ward. The rest went to Logan to be chiropractors. We went to graduation at Logan on Saturday to see our friends and say our good byes. It was hard to see them leave. I will really miss the Boston's. We were always sharing meals, having fun, and hanging out together. And oh, sweet little Kate. She says I am her best friend, always insisted I sit by her at dinner, and even named her toy pony after me. That family knows how to make a person feel special. They headed down to Memphis immediately following the ceremony. I miss them so much I actually agreed to go to Memphis in December to run a half marathon with Meggan and a few others just so I could see them soon. Yeah, you read that correctly. Try not to laugh too hard. Megg, you know I love you just to even consider doing such a crazy thing. I hope it actually works out.

I'm sad that everyone is scattering across the country, but glad I have so many good memories to take with me.