We left a LOT of people we love dearly. These people right here being the hardest to leave. I wish I could have brought them with us. Just packed them away in another box or packed our car one more time with them inside. I know it's not a far move, but knowing that I can't meet up with my Mom or Dad for lunch on a whim or stop by and see Noni when Landon points me in the direction of her place is hard. There's been a few times in Nashville I've seen a truck like my brothers or car like my Mother-in-laws and looked to see if it was them only to realize they are a few hundred of miles away. Two of the hardest people for me to leave were these two...
My girls. And as hard as it was for me, I know it was 100 times harder on them. My life has been changing for the better in many ways, but there lives are remaining the same with one exception, I've left. I know they are happy for me, but in a way sad for themselves. Daily life for them hasn't changed too much. Mary still goes to work (way too often) and whips her patients into shape. Marty still goes about her normal daily routine meanwhile dreaming about her next vacation. We all know this friendship isn't over, FAR FAR from it. But we also know that things are different. Impromptu girls days at Huber's are a thing of the past and while text and e-mail between us are a constant thing, it won't ever replace pinterest nights and hours long talks.
As a farewell, these two priceless friends threw us an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G going away party. It would have been enough just to spend one more day with these two, but they also invited our family and closest friends. Even more, they went all out with a Tennessee theme and had a home cooked Southern dinner that included pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, baked beans, cole slaw, corn bread (TO DIE FOR), macaroni and cheese, green beans, jalapeno popper dip, and pecan cookies. I know I'm forgetting something, but needless to say it was all delicious and made from scratch. And if that wasn't enough they had a full bar with some Tennessee whiskey mixed drinks that were surprisingly good! Sorry Mary, but I might prefer whiskey to bourbon.
They even had a cake for us that was almost too cute to eat...almost.
The cake matched the invites that they had a few weeks before.
They also made some posters with interesting information about Tennessee. I learned a lot of valuable information which will most certainly keep us out of jail. If I didn't know it was illegal, I would have most certainly brought a skunk into Tennessee.
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It was a great day spent with our closest family and friends. Landon had a blast running around and being the center of attention. Of course it helped that his favorite person in the whole world, his big cousin Cha-Cha, was there with him. Both of these cuties love their Nana. Can you tell?
Nan brought us a few books which Landon enjoyed opening and later reading. Two books for Landon on the world and space and then a third book on Switzerland to prepare us for our next move. She knows us so well.
Beyond missing my girls it was also sad to leave Noni. Noni had originally declared that Marty would miss us the most, but then changed her mind and decided it was going to be her. Either way, I know I would have packed Noni in one of the first boxes if I could.
My big brother Matt puts on a big front, but I'm pretty sure he was very sad to see us moving away. We've been fortunate to have become very close in the last few years and now he's just not my brother, but also one of my closest friends. Plus, he's always our bartender and makes some pretty good drinks! I love this picture of him.
Having been out at my Dad's house for almost a year we had really gotten use to seeing him just about everyday. I'm not sure who loved the farm the most between Landon and Kaiser, but it wasn't easy for any of us to leave. Still, it's nice knowing we always have a place to come back to which includes this man. He is the resident story teller.
My Mom has put up a good face, but I wouldn't be surprised if she has been secretly crying to everyone else. Like Dad, she was used to seeing us often and I know its an adjustment for her. The great thing about my Mom is I know if I ever need anything shes just a phone call and a short drive away. I can always count on her.
We had to get a girls picture with Brandi in it as well. She's been a part of my life longer than I can remember. The great thing about leaving amazing friends is the fun you have when you come back to visit. Such was the case this past weekend and hopefully many more to come.
The Nashville crew family portrait.
And although I wasn't expecting anything special, Marty and Mary did something I would have never have dreamed of...they sang a song to us. And yes, I cried like a baby. We have the whole performance on video, but I'm not going to share. They wouldn't want me to share it, because they'd be embarrassed, but I've decided it's just something I want to keep private. When I heard them singing the lyrics, I honestly thought they had written the song. It's so simple and sums our friendship perfectly. Little did I know it was a famous Dionne Warwick song. Now it will forever hold a special place in my heart. Here's the original. Believe me when I say Marty and Mary did much better job, but this version I can listen to without crying. Like I said, it sums up our friendship, true friendship, perfectly. Having ALL of these people in our lives makes it that much easier to keep smiling, keep shinning. This day was just one glorious reminder of how incredibly lucky we are. No matter what we will ever achieve or have in this life nothing will replace these people.
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