When Karl and I first got married we moved into the best ward we could have possibly hoped for. We made so many good friends there. Many that we are still very close to today, over 9 years later. Some of us were chatting a while back and decided it would be fun to have a 52nd ward reunion. So a few of our dear friends took the initiative and actually made it happen.
Yesterday was the big day. It was so fun to go and see so many of our old friends. Many of whom I feel like I see on a regular basis because of Facebook and Instagram but also many that I haven't seen for years. It was so much fun to catch up.
Maleah, Madison and Audrey Jane. These girls have been friends from pretty much day one, though they didn't all remember each other immediately.
Madison and Maleah were born about 8 days a part. They did everything together for the first few years of their lives.
Tannie and JeriLyn both lived right behind us. Tannie was the one I always called when I ran out of sugar. We'd go outside and trade items over the fence.
Angie and I are kindred spirits. We met in the Institute Choir and quickly became great friends. We both got engaged around the same time and even got married a few weeks apart. Our first Sunday at our ward after we got married we were pleasantly surprised to find that Mark and Angie had also moved into the same ward. Angie is also helped me get my job at the paint store, where we both worked for our first few years of married life. Her husband Mark was actually the one who got Karl interested in his career as a Rehabilitation Counselor.We don't see their family near as often as we would like but will always consider them to be some of our dearest friends.
Leisl (JeryLyn's daughter), Madison, Claire (Tannie's daughter), Maleah (Kaylyn's daughter), Audrey Jane (Laura's daughter), and Whitley (Maleah's sister).
Kaylyn and I became great friends after our girls were born. We did pretty much everything together. We loved to play together, take pictures of our kids together and especially loved to do craft projects together. Back when I actually had time to craft. Ha.
Laura and I probably became better friends after we both moved out of the ward actually. But it didn't take long for her to become one of my favorite people ever. We still try to get together as often as we can, though they currently live in New Mexico so we don't get to see each other near as often as I would like!
Brooke is another one of those friends that our relationship goes back before we ever moved into the ward. Her husband Tim lived in the same dorm I did my first year of collage. He and Karl were really good friends and he was actually one of the reasons I hung around Karl so much that first year of school. Without him, Karl and I may not be married today. We sure love Brooke and Tim. Some may even say Brooklyn was named after Brooke.
Tannie and Laura. Oh how I love these ladies!
Claire and Madison
Brooklyn and her name sake.
On our way home from this reunion, we decided to drive by our old house down in the Island where we house sat for a couple while they were on a mission. We lucked out and just happened to drive by their house on the very same week end they had just returned home from another mission they had been serving in Salt Lake City so we decided to stop by and say hi.
The Benson's were definitely an answer to our prayers and will forever have a special place in our hearts. We loved our time in their home and with their neighbors and plan to visit them for years to come. Hopefully they don't mind too much.
They had the most wonderful yard. These toys are new but the yard was still as amazing as it was when we lived there.
The girls had a fun time playing with the Benson's granddaughter while we were there as well.
This was the perfect way to end our emotionally draining funeral day.
