"Where you find true friendship, you find true love"


Today is a tough day for me personally. I woke up this morning with a heavy heart. It has finally hit me that one of my closest and dearest friends (more like my sister) is leaving us. Let me back up about two years.
For those of you who don't know how Kendal and I met, let me fill you in. My friend Shannon and I have known each other since elementary school. We were cheerleaders together for a little over 7 years! Shortly after graduation, Shannon married her high school sweetheart, Keith, who had just enlisted in the USAF, and they were stationed in Charleston, Sc. Shannon became pregnant with in months of being married and I was heartbroken that she lived so far away. Eliana Marie was born in July of 2004, and then Kylie Elizabeth came in December of 2005... I instantly became Auntie Carrie! Shannon and I used to joke around about me moving closer to them and how fun it would be. However, anyone who knew me, would tell you I would be a resident of my hometown until my dying day!
Time went on, we became the kind of friends that would talk over the phone from time to time, wrote letters, and sent pictures. One afternoon I received a phone call, Keith had just gotten word, he would be leaving for 6-7 months for Iraq. Eliana was 14 months old and Kylie was 4 months old. I only hesitated for about a day, when I decided to call my parents and let them know I had plans to pack up and start over somewhere new. It took about two months to finish up the lease on my apartment, finish out at my jobs, and hit the road. I packed what I could into my car, sold what I couldn't and drove south. I had planned on staying with Shannon to help her however I could but only until Keith made it home, and then I planned on moving back to Ohio. Now for the best part~
As everyone predicted after about two weeks the excitement had worn off and I found myself thinking, "what am I doing here, I can't do this, I just want to go home" Only an hour later, I truly believe fate stepped in! I had a new friend request from a local military man on the website, myspace. I ignored him at first but something pulled me back. Long story short, after about a week and a half of phone tag and trying to avoid his phone calls, that "military man" picked me up and took me on a blind date. His name was KENDAL! (who would have guessed, lol) And the rest is history! Two years later I am married to the most intelligent, gentle, brave and loving man I have ever met (other than my daddy, lol) We are due to have our first child in just 3-4 weeks and in a way, I feel I owe a large part of my happiness to the friend who made it all possible.

Shannon and Keith are in Ohio right now making their final visits with family. They are moving in just one week to the Azores Islands off the coast of Portugal for the next two years. Being military families you become used to the idea of friends coming and going, thats just the name of the game. But these friends, or shall I say, extended family, is especially hard to say goodbye to. If it weren't for them, I don't know that Kendal and I would have ever crossed paths or I would have ever experienced such love and happiness in my life.
I'm sorry todays blog was so long winded, but I just had to find a way to let both of them know how much Kendal and I love them and will miss them and also how greatful we truly are for their friendship! We love you all very much and wish you all the best in your next adventure! Its not goodbye, just ta-ta for now!