Tony and Louise

Tyler's been in Rosamond since right before Christmas. If you're keeping track, that's six months he's been there. That seems like a long time for a missionary to be in one area!

He LOVES the people there. He's got one couple in particular who he really loves: Tony and Louise. Tony and I recently became friends through facebook, and have been communicating a little bit at a time. For the past few months (maybe two), I've had really strong impressions to write them and thank them for taking care of Tyler and his companion (who also added me on facebook. weird.). I did just that, also expressing my gratitude to them for loving him and giving him a home away from home. I thought they would think I was crazy -- I'm some girl who they don't know writing them a letter. Turns out they loved it. Tony said they haven't received a handwritten letter for a while. I thought I sounded like an idiot when I was writing it. Guess not. Anyway, Tony says that they're nobody special. I disagree wholeheartedly. It takes a lot to join the church and give up habits you've had for years. I personally wouldn't know this, but I've seen people go through it, and can only imagine what it must feel like for them. Not only that, they're taking care of my future.

They must think I'm crazy for wanting to correspond with them -- but it's a feeling I have that I need to do, and I've learned not to ignore feelings like that! Someday I'm going to meet them. I can't wait until that happens!!!

Friendship is...

So I was reading a friend's post about friendship today, and that got me contemplating about what friendship really is.
Dictionary.com defines friend as a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

Growing up, friendships come and go. People move, go to different schools, someone's lifestyle changes and you can't support them so you fade out, or just don't have that friend connection anymore. Growing up itself is pretty scary, but realizing you aren't going to be friends with some of the people for the rest of your life is scarier, I think. Working at the daycare, I found that little kids are really fickle about friendship. The Pre-K kids, girls especially, would be friends one day, and the next day dislike each other.
I don't think I really realized how valuable a friendship was until I moved to Washington. There have been lots of situations in the last eight years where friends have cycled through my life. You know how you can be immature when you're a teenager? Hey, it happens to all of us. During those moments, friends argue, and sometimes go their separate ways. I remember one specific argument about a particular boyfriend I was dating at the time, and I had one friend decide to just stop being my friend until I was out of that relationship. The other friend in that situation, though they didn't like him either, stayed. I'm not saying that choices like that make us bad friends, because they don't.
I really do know where I'm going with this, so bear with me. I tend to ramble sometimes.
Now that I'm an adult and some huge life-changing things are going to be happening in the next few years, I'm realizing more than ever that the friends I have are irreplaceable, and how much they mean to me. Take Courtney for instance -- Courtney and I have had our fall outs. There was a span of about two years that we didn't even talk. At the time, we didn't realize that we needed to grow as people and get to the point where we could be friends. She is one of the best friends I have in the world. I'm grateful to her for always being reliable, wonderful, and fun to be around. Ever seen Boy Meets World? I feel like Courtney and I are kind of like Cory and Shaun. She's the best friend anyone could ever ask for.
How about Tyler? Do YOU have someone that makes you happy no matter what you feel like? How about someone who makes you feel more loved than anyone else in the world? What about someone to laugh and joke with about anything? That's Tyler and me. We are comfortable together. Even on Mother's Day (when we talked on the phone) we were laughing and joking with each other. He's been gone for a year, and our relationship has grown so much!
Friends are wonderful. I don't know how you define your friends, but I would say keep them close, because they're in your life for a reason! :) Thanks to Dennis for really making me sit and think about how wonderful all of my friends are.

An Entire Year

Tyler's officially been gone for a whole year! I can't believe that I've made it this far. I mean, I can, but it honestly feels like he left yesterday. I was writing last night, and I sat and thought about all of this.

May 26th, 2009:
We said see you later for two years. It was really hard. We were both sobbing by the time I was driving away; I even had to pull to the side of the road. He called several more times before he was set apart. He left the next day.

One year ago

Now:
It seems like a ton has happened, but it really seems like he just left. I don't even know how to describe what all has happened. I wish that I could, because it's a TON! Life has been so great. Tyler and I write each other every week; it's fun that we haven't missed a week yet. Tomorrow should be my 52nd letter. :) Halfway there. The craziest part of this all is the fact that everyone says the second year goes faster! How on earth is that possible?? I'm looking forward to continuing to grow over the next year of my life so that I'm ready for the future.

Not the best picture, but the most recent. He's kind of a goof :)

One year! I think I'm going to go celebrate. :)

A Picture a Day 5/20/10

Since today is Tyler's birthday, I thought I'd share a picture of him. I know that it's not recent, but that's because he hasn't sent his camera card home for a while now. I also know he can't read this, but still... :)
Happy 20th birthday, Tyler Scott Mallory!

My Favorite Sound?

Do you really not know? :) Tyler's voice. Now keep with me here, okay? It's going somewhere.




I got to talk to him yesterday! It was probably the best conversation I have ever had in my entire life. We covered so many things that we've both been thinking about, and it felt like I had a huge weight be lifted. :) We laughed SO MUCH!! I haven't laughed that much in such a long time. I wanted to never get off the phone with him! It is wonderful to me how much he has grown. He genuinely loves the people of Rosamond. Especially Tony and Louise! They mean a lot to him.

He's still his same dorky self, though, and I love it!! We reverted back to some of our silliness for a little bit there. He said, "I love you every hour of every day." We went backward from there until I hit the nanosecond. I, in my ignorance, challenged him to beat that. Well today in an email, I got this: "I love you every picosecond of every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month of every year! Ha! :D I found out what is smaller than a nanosecond and its a picosecond :D I win!" He really makes me so happy!

Anyway, I really just wanted to express how happy I am with him! I can't wait to marry him and spend all eternity with him. :) He's an amazing person. My Heavenly Father blessed me by placing Tyler in my life.

A little of this and that :)

Life has been awesome lately! I love school so much. I've got seven classes, so I feel like I'm in a little over my head, but that will change once I get back into the swing of things!

Recently I went to the temple; I love it there so much! There's such a spirit of peace, and I always get answers to prayers every time I go!

Last night for FHE, our area 70, Elder R. Bruce Merrill, came to speak to us. Holy stink. I've never had such a wonderful family home evening before. I felt the spirit more than I have ever felt it. I'm really excited about everything that's happened.

I went down to Lisa's cousin's wedding reception this past weekend. Holy stink. I'm telling you that there are only like, two receptions I will go to for the next year or so. It's really hard to go to receptions, because I know who I'm supposed to marry; yes, I know. It's personal how I know, but I'm throwing it out there that there are absolutely no questions anymore, and I truthfully don't want any junk or grief about that. This is truly the first time I'm saying it out loud or anything to people other than those closest to me. I'm sure his parents know, and I know for sure that my mom knows, but it's not like we talk about it constantly. I'm just happy to be able to know. :) Anyway, the reception was really hard to be at; they looked so perfect together, and I'm super happy for them! :)