Letter #62 - Cherry

I have a very large adopted family.  My whole life my parents introduced people into our lives that we came to know as Aunt & Uncle, even though we have no blood relations to them.  Aunt Cherry is one such adopted family member.  I literally cannot remember a part of my life that she wasn't in.  My dad knew her and her husband before he met my mum, so they've been a part of my life since the day I was born.  They've always lived in another state than us, and have always been a branch of the family that we were lucky to see once every few years.  Until I met my husband.  Since he's a country musician, part of his life entails yearly (if not more frequent) trips to Nashville.  Soon after we began dating, I put two and two together and realised Steve & Cherry lived just outside the city limits.  I put in a phone call and several weeks later I was on my first road trip ever with a boyfriend, on my first trip to Nashville, and so excited to be only hours away from spending almost a week with Steve & Cherry.

Since that first trip we have stayed in their home usually at least one week a year, and they have been up to visit us several times in Michigan.  In fact, they have become such an important part of both of our lives that they performed our wedding last year.  I always look forward to our visits there, because I know at some point or another I can count on a long and involved kitchen conversation with Aunt Cherry while the guys are off talking music or business or philosophy or something.  I LOVE spending time in the kitchen, and while cooking isn't Aunt Cherry's all time favourite thing to do, I think she likes it when I'm there coz I love it.  Her oldest son is also a chef, and sometimes I think having me there in the kitchen and chatting makes her feel closer to him in some ways.  I'm ok with that because I love getting to talk with her about life, love and human behaviour.  She is a retired teacher, so we also share a passion for kids and education.  I was excited to write her because I've been meaning to get around to sending her a photo of the four of us together at our wedding, and now I finally did.

We're hoping on making another trip to Nashville in the spring (well, my husband for sure is, but my school and job situations will dictate whether or not I can join him) and I'm sure hoping I can be a part of it because it will mean at least a day or two with Aunt Cherry (as long as they're in town).  Something I always look forward to!

Letter #8 - Sam

I have known Sam since I was a freshman in college.  He was one of my first friends there and has stayed someone I keep close in my heart ever since.  A group of us used to meet for lunch on Thursdays, every single week and Sam & I were almost always the first two to arrive, so we would save tables for everyone else and spend the time catching up with each other while we waited.  We became housemates for awhile and Sam was always around to chat with, complain about class schedules to, to cook with or eat with (we both love to be in the kitchen!)... etc etc.  When Sam moved out I really missed having him around.

Writing my letter to Sam brought me right back to the kitchen... me trying in vain to only cook for one (he was great at helping me finish off my leftovers... I can only repeat the same meal so many times before I would just rather not eat at all!) and Sam either pitching in, looking on, or leaning in the doorway making conversation.  It was a great experience, being able to let my mind focus on such great memories.

There is a church event coming up next month and I am hoping that he will be there and that we will have a chance to chat.  The last time I was supposed to see him he had a death in the family, so we didn't end up connecting.  I close this entry heading to the kitchen to make dinner for my husband and I, but knowing that Sam will be in my head, leaning against the doorway :o)