FLASHBACK FRIDAY

This is right when Sean and I started dating, waaaay back in 2009.

It was our first road-trip/adventure at Duckabush River Trail over on the Olympic Peninsula. 

He wanted to show me a waterfall, but we didn't account for the fact that the snow out there still hadn't melted, which meant we couldn't  get far enough down the trail to actually see the waterfall, but far enough to see fresh cougar tracks... (CRAAAY FREAKY!)

Anyways, we were new. 

Probably awkwardly asking "get to know you" questions, while simultaneously trying to impress one another.

It is a good memory, and I have had this picture framed in my house ever since.

Anywhoo- things are so different now. 

Not only are we two years older (he officially turned two-years-shy of the big 3-0 yesterday in fact... Happy Birthday, Boo!)

We've gone from perfect strangers to best friends and are so far past the awkward stage, it's not even funny.

Actually, it is hilarious. 

And so fun. 

And seems just to get better with time.

I love you Sean!

Linking up with Tia for Flashback Friday!

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

Life's too short to just barely exist.

My big brother Pete passed away three years ago Wednesday.

This is the picture of him I have at my desk, which means I end up staring at it. A lot.
Sometimes it makes me smile, sometimes cry (usually both) but it always makes me feel like he is at peace, yet still full of life, even though he is no longer physically with us.

Pete was an amazing person, truly unique, full of love, life and laughter.
He was a best friend to many, including myself. He had the enthusiasm, generosity, and caring to turn any negative situation into a positive one, and the ability to make anyone smile at the drop of a hat.

He was a talented drummer and musician overall.
He was a fast talker with a slight stutter.
He loved to sing, dance, hug and kiss.
He was a perfectionist in some ways, and completely lax in others.
He was hilarious.
He was sincere. 
He was my rock.

I cannot believe he has been gone for three years... in the back of my mind I am half expecting him to show up somewhere, and join me again in this life, like he was gone on an extended vacation.

My life would be so different if he were still here, and I miss him more than I ever thought possible.

I am sad that I will never have a new photo to share of my brother Pete, but  the memories I have of the times we shared together are worth more than anything to me.

Rest in Peace, Pete! You are alive and strong in my heart and mind until I see you again!

Linking up to Christopher & Tia's Flashback Friday.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

Baby Ed

Here is Eddie when he was still just a little puppy. 

I still tend to consider him a puppy (especially since he sure as heck acts like one) but he is way huge now.

And he's going to be four this summer... so yea... I guess I'm just living in the past.

Seriously though? He was so cute!

(and honestly, he still is... even if he is an "adult dog.")

Linking this up to Flaskback Friday

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

Here is the "Flashback Friday: Family Portrait Series No. 1"

 Living room group shot - '87 ? (Lars, Pete, Rachel, Me)

Rachel's Wedding, '94 (Pete, Dad, Rachel, Lars, Me, Mom)

Uncle Mitch's Wedding, '99 (Mom, Dad, Me, Lars, Pete, Chris, Rachel)

 Valentine's Day Party - '03 (Pete, Nick, Rachel, Grace, Lars, Me)

 Summer BBQ - '03 (Pete, Rachel, Me, Lars)

 

  Father's Day - '04 (Me, Dad, Camden, Lars, Rachel, Grace, Pete, Nick)

 

My high school graduation '05 (Rachel, Camden, Lars, Me, Dad, Pete)

 Christmas - '06 (Dad, Pete, Lars, Rachel, Me)

My college graduation - '07 (Lars, Rachel, Dad, Me, Pete.)

(This is the "No. 1 series" because I'm including only "family portraits" within immediate reach. Others may surface in the future, which I will then proceed to post accordingly.)

Linking up with Tia's Flashback Friday

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

This is my old friend Caitrin and I at one of our many  back porch-BBQ-summer hangout sessions at her and Darin's old place, circa 2006.

 During the winter, we had just as much fun at our indoor-kitchen-dance-until-the-bars-closed-and-the-boys-came-home parties (we weren't old enough to go out drinking in public, yet.)

So many fun, carefree, awesome memories with one of my closest friends of all time.

I really miss her.

Linking up to Flashback Friday