Everyone Deserves a Good Weekend and a Good Cry

This weekend was absolutely outstanding and a little horrible all at the same time. It started out with a short week of work and moved right into family time. I got to spend Wednesday night and all of Thursday with them! I'm a big fan of my family. Sadly, it was mostly just me, my parents and my little brother as all of the married kids were at the in-laws' homes for Thanksgiving. We had fun nonetheless, and we enjoyed a great dinner. Reflecting on the many blessings I have been given reminded me of just how lucky I am. Truly the Lord has blessed me far beyond my deserving.

Friday was also an outstanding day. I cleaned the house and prepared for a date. I was pretty excited for it. The plans and the company promised to be outstanding. We cooked Chicken Alfredo with sauteed zucchini, boiled new potatoes and a fruit salad all while listening to European music. It was fun and I really enjoyed getting to know my date better. After dinner we showed photos from our trips to Europe. That was awesome! I love Europe. Turns out she does too and we had a lot of fun reliving our trips as we described our pictures.

After the pictures, I felt bad because, as some of you know, I often times don't sleep too well and it generally messes with my sleep patterns. I found myself starting to get tired, and I thought, "I should probably take her home before I make too big of a fool out of myself." So I took her home at 10:30, totally forgetting the part of the date I had been most excited about! There is an amazing, authentic European pastry shop in Salt Lake that I'm a big fan of. I had driven out and picked up pastries for dessert, but in the end I took her home, totally forgetting the pastries. I had this brilliant idea the next morning to drop them off at her door with a thank you note. I got the note written and when I went to prepare the pastries I realized they were no longer good. They have no preservatives in them and are designed to be eaten the day they are made. They had gone soggy. I didn't think soggy pastries sent the right message... :( Oh well, I thought the date was still really fun!

Saturday I spent with my family again, watched the Utes eke out a win against BYU, and soon enough it was Sunday.

Sunday was a busy day at church. I wore my Austrian, red paisley vest and matching red tie in honor of Christmas and the Utes' victory. I looked good, basically. - Even if I was a tad overdressed. Church as always was the fitting capstone to a good weekend.


After church came the good cry. My sister Brianna and her husband Joe have been transferred to Texas. Tonight we had to say goodbye. I'm already a crybaby when it comes to my family, but with Brianna, there is something beyond just a family relationship. For several years now she and I have been best friends. I don't mean that in a see-you-once-a-week type of "BFF" thing. No. We are best friends. We get each other, we've counseled each other through relationships, we are hilarious. I set her up with her husband. THAT'S how well we know each other. Now, she's leaving for who knows how long. Aside from the deaths of my grandparents, and my mission, it was one of the hardest goodbyes I've ever said. If I hadn't hand picked her husband, and if I didn't have a firm testimony of the good man that he is, I'd be more worried. He will take care of her and they will be fine. Now I'm just lonely. My friend, my sister and my confidant is gone.


I'm sure that everything will be alright, and that life will move on much as it has after every major life event. I know this, but that doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye to loved ones.


So Bri Bri, if you ever read this, I just want you to know that I love you. You're my best good friend. You have been a pillar of strength, and true friend in dark times. I'm proud of the woman you have become, and I'm proud of the choice you have recently made in a husband. I am thrilled that your lives are about to leap forward and that new and untold experiences await you both in Texas. I pray for Father in Heaven's choicest blessings to be upon you and that safety and love accompany you all the days of your life. You are in my heart and my prayers always.


Joe, take care of my sister. You're a good man. You have quickly become a good friend and I am proud to have you as a brother. I am grateful for your constant vote of confidence in me and your stalwart faithfulness to the gospel; but most importantly, I am grateful for the love and tender respect you have for my sister. You are becoming a powerful family leader, a provider and you will one day be a good father. Thank you.


Well, that's enough mushy heartache for one blog entry. I hope you guys don't mind me getting a little personal. Today was a tender day for me. Take care. :)