My darling Celia is off to Southern Virginia University to teach for a year. I’ve been teasing her that it sounds like a cheap romance novel–“Leaving her friends and family behind, the beautiful young divorcee retreated to a tiny college town. She thought she was there to teach Shakespeare and Thomas Hardy, but little did she know the perils and thrills that awaited her….”
Sam’s reaction to the move was, “Hurray! Now I get to learn Virginia history instead of Utah history!” No offense to the whole pioneer story , but you’ve got to admit that if you have to learn 4th grade state history, field trips to Williamsburg, Monticello and D.C are just a bit more exciting than memorizing the islands in the Great Salt Lake.
Sweet Emma is not as excited. Instead of ruling the elementary as a 6th grader she is now forced to enter middle school at the bottom of the ladder. But look at that cute face. She’s going to make a ton of friends.
And Celia. How am I going to live without her? We moved into this neighborhood the same month 4 years ago and immediately became partners in crime. Our conversations skip effortlessly from the deepest tenets of faith to what shade of lipstick we like best.
She’s led me on some of my best adventures: riding a cart through Temple Square’s secret underground tunnels with President Hinckley, traipsing all eight of our kids through Caesar’s Palace and being asked if we were Erik’s polygamous wives(somebody was watching waaaaaay too much ‘Big Love’), sneaking into the Keith Urban concert, appraising (and rejecting) her constant stream of suitors….
Like me, Celia has spent the majority of her life in the Beehive State. We’ve often bemoaned the fact that the big adventures go to people who really don’t want them. So more than anything I am simply excited for the escapades in her future.
Phones and email will fill the talking void but I can’t help but feel a wee bit sorry for myself. Who is going to share chocolate with me in Relief Society? Who is going clue me in that my polka-dotted bra is showing through my shirt?
Celia says this is what she’ll miss the most– Sunday evenings where we sit on the patio and watch the kids gather…
I do try to get on the other side of the camera, but it isn’t pretty.
“This is the Place” State Park seemed a fitting place to say goodbye to Utah.
my fav
Christie
How’d you get them to load so big onto Blogger? You must share.
I hate it when good friends move away. I feel like I’ve been on both ends of that, and it’s worse to be the one left behind.
And gorgeous, as always. (Do you tire of me saying that EVERY SINGLE TIME?)
katherine
I sure am gonna miss them!!!!!!!!!
Blue
what a great tribute to a fantastic lady! i’m sure SVU will just LOVE them! i’m just sad that Bunch won’t get to know emma better this year. that was such fun.
♥
Jessica
We will surely miss them too! What great photos!
twoelves
Great Photos Michelle! SVU is a beautiful area – I’m sure your friend and her family will love it!
Jan Russell
Beautiful pictures! I hope these are the last “send off” shots you have to take for a while though!
Mitchell Family
As you know we’ve had a bunch of farewell parties this summer. And still a few more coming up. Anyhow, I feel your pain. I hate seeing friends move out of my life. Ruth
Mary Staples
Michelle! I am in love with these pictures of my favorite cousins. I have been gone so I missed saying goodbye to them and I won’t lie, I think I just teared up a bit. Thanks for sharing them.