Last night we said "Goodbye" to a friend and coworker who will be leaving next week for Virginia. Jennifer and her husband, John, came to California about six years ago from Virginia and have soaked up all that California has to offer. Jennifer worked with us for a couple of years, then took some time off to have and raise their second son, Michael. She came back to our office last year in a pinch and stayed till last Friday, when we tearfully said "Goodbye."
They, along with their oldest son, Tim, will be heading out, leaving the sun and the surf, going back to the slower paced world of Virginia. Jennifer's family lives there, and she has great opportunities to raise her boys in the town where she was raised. Who can beat that?? I wouldn't turn it down. I didn't. Alec started school in the same school where I graduated from sixth grade. I know, it's not quite the same...my home town has 200,000 people in it now, and Jen's is at about 500...not thousand, 500. Total. But I feel like I still understand the draw to the small town that she feels. I think it's because our elementary school had a total enrollment of 250, with boundaries of only our housing tract. That made our world seem like it was only that community. Perhaps that's why I feel like I come from a small town? Anyway, to be able to provide that sense of closeness and security for your kids...with grandparents and other family nearby...yeah.
So we celebrated last night with drinks at a local sports bar (across from our office) and then a concert in the park (across from our office in the other direction). The band was The Long Run, an Eagles Tribute Band. They were good, but it was really about the venue. People start setting up on Thursday evening for the Saturday night show! From what I understand, this was one of the most crowded events so far, with about 8,000 people in attendance! People bring blankets and chairs, of course, and picnic baskets with wine and cheese, beer, margaritas, chips, dip, complete meals....they set up tables...It's a big deal!
So we all got together and hung out and had a chance to love on Jennifer and her family one last time. Well, we're kind of dragging it out and trying to find time to see her again through this next week, but this was the last "official" time to see her...And the fact is, we will miss her beautiful face, her cheerful smile, and her willingness to take on any challenge! Love you Jennifer!
Here are some pics from last night (some stolen from The Pellicans--to give credit*):
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| John, Jennifer, and Tim (75% of The Pellicans) |
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| Michael and Jennifer* |
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| Me and Michael* |
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| Alec and his friend, Brian |
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| Jackie (our Optician) and John-they're getting married in Sept <3* |
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| Acacia (our Girl Friday-she can do EVERYTHING) and her boyfriend, Austin. Acacia is Jackie's daughter AND our personal hairdresser...and she's also really beautiful :) * |
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| This is a blinky-smiley picture of Rissa (Marissa), Jackie's 2nd daughter. |
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| Here she is with her boyfriend, David...not a defining pic of either, but yet cute of both :) |
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| Jackie and her youngest daughter, Sam, who was a silly 5 yr old when I first met her...! Wow. Time flies...* |
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| Doc and Vondea-the Boss and Co-Boss! Wow, everyone has really nice sunglasses in these pictures...Anyway, Doc and Vondea helped us get our great spot at the park and then were fantastic hosts throughout the evening.* |
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| This is Amber, Chris, & soon-to-be Brayden (Doc's daugher-in-law, son, and soon-to-be grandson). Brayden is holding DADDY'S beer, not Amber's! I was thinking it was a good thing he didn't decide to kick just about then... |
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| Justin and Donielle, a former employee. She's cute as peaches!* |
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| Stephanie, a former employee, Jennifer, and me (and Donielle on the phone in my hand behind my back, haha!), leaving Cronies and heading over to Constitution Park.* |
Good Times!
