Thanks Kristen

 

Kristen!!!

   My beautiful, beautiful friend!!! I miss you so so sosossosososososos much! Did you know you were an answer to my prayers? Before we moved to Washington, my one prayer was that I would make ONE friend. Heavenly Father ended up blessing me with many friends, which made it really hard to move away in the end. And I became close with Rachel first, but you were and are just as important to me and just as much an answer to that prayer. And the ways that you have influenced me are more than I can say. And probably more than I even realize.

   First of all, thank you for being my friend! I came in to your world, to your town that you grew up in, where all your family still was and all your friends. You didn't need to add another friend in the mix. You obviously didn't need me. So thank you for being willing to be my friend anyway. Thank you for making room for me. Thank you for having Bauston. He and Kale were just the best little pals, and when I was praying for a friend for me, I never thought to pray for a friend for him. But Heavenly Father knew best. Again! 

  Thank you for hanging out with me all the time. Thank you coming over in the morning to do workout videos with me. Thank you for going to Yakima with me. Thank you for inviting me to your bridal shower and bachelorette party and sealing. Thank you for telling me all about your life and how you got to where you were. You have strengthened my testimony in ways beyond measure. Thank you for bringing me Palace fries when I was pregnant. AND for bringing them to me at the hospital after Ellory was born. Thank you for throwing me the cutest baby shower I have ever seen. Thank you for being so excited for me when I told you I was pregnant. Thank you for telling me you were pregnant the day that we moved away. Thank you for being just as obsessed with Pretty Little Liars as I was. Thank you for laughing with me. Thank you for sharing so many of the same interests.

  Thank you for all the times you watched Kale for me. Thank you for asking me to watch Bauston for you. Thank you for introducing Jesse to us. He is so great, and I'm so happy for you that you found him. Thank you for stopping to visit us in Salem. I'm so excited to one day meet up with you guys in Kansas City! It WILL happen.  

  You know, you were the first friend I had that was in the same stage of life as me and the same geographical location. Meaning, we were about the same age, had one kid, and still dirt poor. I had other mom friends who I loved very much but they were mostly far away or had a 2 or 3 kids and they were a little more established. It meant a lot to me to have you, someone who could really relate, someone who knew what it felt like right now, in the moment, and someone who understood that all we could really do for fun was hang out at each other's houses or at the park. And it was the best! Thank you for your understanding and your support. You became a sister to me, and your family is like my family. I love you very very much. Thank you for everything you have done for me and the huge role that you have played in my life. Until we see each other again. I'm sure we could find a job for Jesse in Iowa. Just sayin......