So, here is my heartbreak...
It seems that the town we live in was built with a revolving door. We have been here 4 years and we are old-timers. Everyone we meet moves away. Usually we know from day one that they will move eventually. We know a lot of military people and a lot of students. But Glenn and Heather were our safe friends. The ones we were sure would never leave us.
I think you all know Glenn and Heather, right? If you have talked to us at any time in the past 4 years I am sure you have heard of them. Well, they moved to California and what sucks is that they took their kids right along with them.
We knew for a few months that they might go but we didn't find out for sure until 3 weeks before they left. I truly cried for 2 hours the night that I found out. Seth was trying really hard to console me and then eventually just cracking up at my inability to cope.
If you know me, you know I don't make friends easily. (Okay, that's not fair. I actually have lots of friends here...amazing people that I am so grateful for so please don't get me wrong. It just takes a long time for me to know someone well enough to call them and just chat, or hang out one on one. I don't have many of those kind of friends) I mostly keep to myself, but luckily for me, Glenn and Seth had a case of love at first sight so we were all together until it wasn't awkward anymore, and then it was even pretty comfortable and eventually they just felt like family.
It was a huge bummer to say goodbye to the Harrises. We were together so much that almost everything here reminds me of them. If Seth was more like me and we could have just kept to ourselves I wouldn't be sitting here sad and feeling sorry for myself. Just kidding! I am actually very grateful that I was pushed outside of my comfort zone. I miss my friend very much, but I have a friend and that is very special.
I would stroll with you down memory lane but I am already crying so it is probably best to keep this somewhat light and low on cheese.
So, how about some pictures instead.
The day before we parted, Bayley and Isaac came over for most of the day so Heather could pack and the four kids never left each other's side for a single minute.
I could do a whole book of pictures of Bayley and Alyssa but I love this picture because one of the first things me and Heather did (without help from our husbands) was put the girls in ballet. They are only 3. So cute!
Here is us when we taught Joy School. I am the only Joy School mom left. The rest have all moved away.
The rest of these pictures are of the 3 weeks leading up to "the departure". I think we hung out about 18 times in 21 days and usually until way too late or should I say, way too early! Once me, Katelin and Heather even hung out at Kohl's just because it was open til midnight. We bought these super ugly matching shirts and earrings to wear out and then we still sat in the car and talked for a few hours when Kohl's closed.
Out at Bob Chinn's for one of our many farewell dinners. Glenn and Heather are the two right up front with the great fashion sense. If you can't tell, that is a t-shirt with a built in stone-washed vest.
Seth and Glenn found out about our ugly shirts and bought matching hunting sweatshirts or whatever these ugly things are.
This was my birthday dinner. Katelin and Heather took me to Cheesecake Factory...
and when we got back to my house the men were there and they had put all the kids to bed (or in a carseat, or wherever there was a spot to sleep) so we decided to play board games....
until almost 5AM. I promise I am not drunk in those pictures but I wish I could explain why I look like Elvira at 5AM.
Unfortunately, no matter how many times we went out, or stayed in and played games, or just sat and talked all night, the inevitability of what was next always loomed in the air. The night I went to say goodbye to Heather we just sat and talked until 2 AM but I knew no matter how long I stayed, she would eventually go. I hated to say goodbye but I am not looking at the ending, rather the journey.
Thanks Harrises for being our friends! We love you!
P.S. Happy 30th Birthday Heather!!!! I will make you chocolate cake if you come back.
Oh yeah, make sure to keep reading because I made two posts in a row tonight and the other one is much more cheerful...
6 comments:
Awww, what a cute post! You guys sure did pack in a lot in that month. ME and Ry laughed so hard at the picture with Seth showing his nipple...
I love all the matching shirts... the girls and the boys! Fun Fun!
You are very lucky to find such good friends! Im sure you will be BFF's. Happy 30th Heather!
HA HA HA HA...the freaking shirts!! I swear you look totally drunk in the last pic.
I totally understand how you feel. The first four years we lived here we said good by to our best friends. One family every year. It got old fast! It seemed just as we became really close then they would move. Every year a dear family who we have been close to at one time or another has moved. It has been hard. We have some wonderful memories with all of them, and some we know that there are still many memories to be made. We too miss the Harris family. Brian and Glenn Talk (text) often so it's nice to kinda keep in touch somewhat.
Your families have made so many memories together, keep those memories alive! Keep in touch with them. I'm sure they miss you just as much as you miss them. It's especially hard when your the one left behind... I know.. we're in the same vote! When Nate and Lisa moved I thought my world had ended... I cried, and cried. Each member in our family had made a great friend. It was perfect! We knew that their family was an answer to many of our prayers when they moved in. Our kids needed good friends their age. We were really worried about our children at the time. There weren't really any kids from church our kids ages. ( now we have an abundance of them, and it's wonderful). Anyways,Our little family had been faced with some trials that were very hard, and we felt very judged. Their family moved in not knowing anything. It was like a fresh start for us. The Lord places people in our lives at certain times, for certain reasons. Their family was and is a blessing in our life. Each of our friends holds a special place in our heart with special memories, no matter what the circumstance was when they left. I know I'm really rambling sorry...! I just know how you feel. I'm SO SORRY for how your feeling. I know you have many other wonderful friends here in Kenosha that need you as well. They will never replace that friendship You and Seth had with the Harris Family but can help fill that emptiness. Best of luck to you Julie! I totally understand how your feeling. Been there, done it! And it Sucks! Love ya Julie
I don't know what to say other than I wish I knew what to say!! It is so hard to say goodbye, but at least you can wear that shirt anytime you need to feel close to Heather! :o)
Okay, right now I am fighting back the tears. I feel like I am reading my eulogy right now. I promise we didn't die, however if and when I do I want you to write the offical eulogy. We miss you guys so much too. We have made many memories but we aren't done yet, we still have many more to have together. After all Isaac and Alyissa are soulmates right?!?!
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