coming home

a year and a half ago, my best friend left to go on an lds mission to madrid spain. before she had left, we had done everything together. every big step we took, we took it together.

so when we said goodbye, it was one of the saddest, hardest ones i have ever had to say. in march we parted ways. she went to spain, i stayed in provo. 

after a year and a half of growing and changing, i learned that she was coming home on august 22nd, and that her family had moved to utah, so i would be able to go to her homecoming. something i never dreamed i would be able to attend. 

so yesterday, after a year and a half apart, i finally saw my best friend again. i taught her the ways of the world (aka got her an instagram, she's not ready for tinder quite yet) and took her to the target. the target. ha. 

and even though we both have changed so much, when we were sitting next to each other, talking in the car, walking around shopping, it was like we were together in high school again. and we were finally home.

welcome home, hermana schaumann.

from a letter

"I am always proud of you because you are a wonderful person and you love the gospel.  That is always enough for me to be proud of you."

:(

...and she's gone. my best friend in the whole entire world is going into the mtc tomorrow, and i just said goodbye to her for a year and a half. this happy, happy thing shouldn't be so sad, but it is. :(

for you

Yesterday was really hard. I had to say goodbye to my best friend for 2 years. 

Don't get me wrong, I am so happy that she is leaving because she is going to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Madrid Spain. 

I couldn't be more proud of her for this decision in her life.

But it's still hard. 

We've done everything together. 

And when I say everything, I mean everything.

Rewind to 18ish years ago when I moved to Tennessee.

Lara was already living there. That's how long I've known Lara. 

When I first went away to a week-long camp, Lara was my roommate.

EFY, Youth Conference, Camp

Any time I was away from my family, I was with Lara.

When I went to college, Lara came with me. 

There's a lot of history there.

As the years went on and we grew up, we got more and more different, but we stayed friends because we changed together. 

And now for the first time, we're going to be apart, and this is a time in our lives when we're going to change the most. And that's okay, because we're both doing exactly where we're supposed to be. 

I'll miss her. 

When you leave, you think you will be leaving a big hole. A gap that will be inevitably replaced by another. What you don’t understand that there is a place in my heart that will always be yours, and when you have a friend like you that leaves, it doesn't leave a hole because I know you aren't leaving me forever. You will always be there. There might be some cracks, yes, but that’s the only way that light can get through. 

she's a dime...

...and her name's Lara and she's my best friend, partner in crime, pen pal, and we'll probably end up accidentally killing each other someday. Why do I lurve her so much?

1. we're completely different. she's totally smart (like she's going to be an engineer smart) and she loves math and science (ick!).  She's a total nerd, but she's my nerd. (I know, that's totally cheesy but whatever, I love cheese)

deux. she's passionate. She loves what she loves so much and deeply, it inspires me. I love passionate people.

(some of it might be on the verge of crazy, but hey what's the fun in being normal?)

3. we've been friends literally forever. we have known each other since I moved to Tennessee...so since I was two? I don't know if you can really be friends when you're that old but whatever... (que embarrassing old pictures...) (I had way too much fun going through these pictures)

a bunny and a princess

an angel and Mary, naturally

pilgrims!

we were very festive...

four. our conversations. two romantics, one hopeless and one slightly more logical = lots and lots of love talk. but we also talk about the important stuff and the stuff that makes me cry from laughing too hard. I love our gospel talks and conversations about life and dreams. we have different approaches but the same ideas. I can talk about anything and nothing with Lara.

5. our letters. with the whole "oldy" and "vintage" love thing that we've got going on, we write letters to each other. she has no idea the strength and comfort they bring me.

six. she is brave. she's never afraid to share her testimony, which gives me strength because I do not always have the same courage. she is completely steadfast in what she believes. She knows the importance of God and family.

7. she's so beautiful. inside and out. she's got that beautiful soul. and she doesn't even know it sometimes.

              

huit. she's tall. 5'10" (I'm pretty sure that's right :) ) is a pretty amazing thing. it also really helps us vertically challenged 5'3" people. I think your height is a beautiful thing. I always tell you you should rock it, and I'm so happy when you do!

9.  efy. girl's camp. secret sister. youth conference. trek. middle school. yw.

*TEN*our memories. there are too many to count...Switchfoot, Harry Potter, cleaning at DSM, dances, Jane Austen, email tag, band, basketball, designing bedrooms, shopping...

11. have you heard this girl sing? too bad. I got to see this lovely girl sing in the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. For all of you non-nashvillians, that's a big deal. oh yeah, and she wrote the song herself. she's an amazing writer. she wrote the theme song for girls camp the past 2 years.

twelve. she's a great listener. she's been with me through thick & thin. she's gotten me through some of the hardest times of my life and she never judges me. She believes in my dreams no matter how crazy they may be.

my list can go on and on and on and on and on and on...

I love you Lara and I'll do anything for you ever! Even if that means calling at 2 in the morning. I'll come running. maybe someday I can be as good of a friend as you. 

When I grow up I wanna be just like you.

hehe this is my favorite picture because of your face :)

Downtown Franklin

Today was beautiful! It was 60 degrees, sunny, windy, and no need for a coat! My best friend Lara and I went to the beautiful and historic Downtown Franklin, the center of the town I live. Even though it is 5 minutes from my house, and I have lived here practically my whole life, I am still hopeless with directions and get completely turned around, thankfully Lara has always been there to be my sane person whenever I need one (which is all the time)

Armed with a camera, $10, and my best friend I set out on and adventure in the 615...

My favorite part of Christmas in Franklin! and it's lit up at night!

totes the best hun cal fro-yo.

It looks just like the shops at the North Pole! Sans the snow haha.

Now for our photo shoot (because no adventure would be complete without a photo shoot!)

After tons of window shopping, we finally found little gems to take home

Beautiful handmade shell box for my rings!

and a key charm for a necklace!

I love Franklin! It's my home!!

This is the house I always wanted to live in...

Oh hey, I missed you too. Thanks for staying pretty for me even in the dead winter!

Wednesday

So we were bored....
And sick of homework.... (this is what homework does to you by the way)