I know this blog post is two days late, but I wished Matthew a happy birthday on his actual birthday I promise! I can't believe he's 20! Matthew turning 20 means that I only have a few more blissful months in my teens! I'm so lucky to have been blessed with a cousin who's more like a brother and best friend rolled into one amazing person! When we were little I was terrified of him, because he stole my toys and I was very protective of them apparently. Despite my apparent fear of him, even from a young age he always tried to play with me and be my friend. My mom has the most precious picture in one of her scrapbooks at home that I really wish I had on my computer, but sadly I don't. Matthew and I were probably 4 or 5 and we were at the beach. We are walking towards the ocean with our backs to the camera, and Matthew has his arm around me. No joke, it's the cutest thing! It didn't take TOO long for me to warm up to him, and our friendship has only become strengthened in the years that have passed since then!
I remember when I was in my early years of elementary school my family was living in Virginia and Matthew's was in Indiana. One day when I was in second grade, Matthew called to tell me that he was moving to Virginia! As luck would have it, we ended up in the same second grade class AND as neighbors! We pretty much became inseparable and began sharing the ups and downs of life together. About a year after Matthew moved into my neighborhood, we found out that my great-grandma who I'm named after and who both of us had become very fond of was dying. I still vividly remember taking walks through our neighborhood with Matthew with NO ADULTS (which we thought was the coolest thing) and just talking about what was going on. We had a pretty good understanding from a Gospel perspective for 8 year olds, if I do say so myself! We finished elementary school together culminating in a 6th grade graduation, endured the awkward years that I've blocked from my memory known as middle school, and then entered high school. I remember we missed our freshman orientation because we were in NYC with our amazing aunt. Two seniors from our ward gave us tours of the high school when we got back. I remember looking at Matthew and seeing the same fear on his face that I felt. Luckily, those four years didn't end up being TOO bad. Of course they had ups and downs as high school always does, but we survived it together! We endured crazy teachers together, sung in choir, performed at in a million plays and Cabarets, celebrated each others accomplishments, took voice lessons from Linda together, which is probably the greatest thing that's ever happened to either of us and led to a lot of bonding over her hilarious stories, and so much more! We shared a fantastic senior year landing lead roles in Fiddler on the Roof, performing in choir, getting selected for state choirs, and finally GRADUATING!
After a few bumps in the road, we ended up at BYU together. I got to be sitting right next to him as he opened his mission call to the England London South Mission, where he has been faithfully serving the Lord since June! I am so proud of him, and love reading his letters each week! Matthew and I share so much: a love for music, a love for our family and friends, a love of a good time, and most importantly a love of the Gospel! I am so thankful for his loyal friendship, and for his love for everyone who has the privilege of knowing him. I miss him so much, but I know he is right where he should be! I am so thankful for his example! I'm already looking forward to ROAD TRIP 2014! It's going to rock.
I remember when I was in my early years of elementary school my family was living in Virginia and Matthew's was in Indiana. One day when I was in second grade, Matthew called to tell me that he was moving to Virginia! As luck would have it, we ended up in the same second grade class AND as neighbors! We pretty much became inseparable and began sharing the ups and downs of life together. About a year after Matthew moved into my neighborhood, we found out that my great-grandma who I'm named after and who both of us had become very fond of was dying. I still vividly remember taking walks through our neighborhood with Matthew with NO ADULTS (which we thought was the coolest thing) and just talking about what was going on. We had a pretty good understanding from a Gospel perspective for 8 year olds, if I do say so myself! We finished elementary school together culminating in a 6th grade graduation, endured the awkward years that I've blocked from my memory known as middle school, and then entered high school. I remember we missed our freshman orientation because we were in NYC with our amazing aunt. Two seniors from our ward gave us tours of the high school when we got back. I remember looking at Matthew and seeing the same fear on his face that I felt. Luckily, those four years didn't end up being TOO bad. Of course they had ups and downs as high school always does, but we survived it together! We endured crazy teachers together, sung in choir, performed at in a million plays and Cabarets, celebrated each others accomplishments, took voice lessons from Linda together, which is probably the greatest thing that's ever happened to either of us and led to a lot of bonding over her hilarious stories, and so much more! We shared a fantastic senior year landing lead roles in Fiddler on the Roof, performing in choir, getting selected for state choirs, and finally GRADUATING!
After a few bumps in the road, we ended up at BYU together. I got to be sitting right next to him as he opened his mission call to the England London South Mission, where he has been faithfully serving the Lord since June! I am so proud of him, and love reading his letters each week! Matthew and I share so much: a love for music, a love for our family and friends, a love of a good time, and most importantly a love of the Gospel! I am so thankful for his loyal friendship, and for his love for everyone who has the privilege of knowing him. I miss him so much, but I know he is right where he should be! I am so thankful for his example! I'm already looking forward to ROAD TRIP 2014! It's going to rock.
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