And they are off......

This may or may not be a surprise but Lauren's high school years were a bit, shall we say turbulent? Ahem. Life was never dull and what I wouldn't have given to hear her agree with us on anything; literally anything. For whatever reason during those colorful years, she would declare randomly, "Just wait. As soon as I graduate, I am moving to Texas." To this day, neither of us know why she chose Texas as her go to location but isn't it funny how life works out?

The adolescent years weren't pretty and there were many tearful seasons but our relationship evolved into friendship the last few years. Sending her to Texas and then onto whatever the future holds for her and Taylor isn't easy. I am excited for her but I feel undone and watching her say goodbye to her siblings was brutal.

Taylor flew home last Friday evening to spend Christmas with family and then move Lauren to Texas with him. It was shaping up to be an emotional week of letting go for the couple when the sudden loss of a friend to a car accident on Tuesday threw us all for a loop. "Big Amy" as the kids called Brandon was in the wedding as a close friend of Taylor's.  He was a gentle giant who was well liked by everyone. He was pretty special. The kids are devastated and emotionally wrecked. So while Taylor was asked to serve as a pall bearer, he will be unable to attend as result of his commitment to be back on Goodfellow AFB the day of the funeral. He and Lauren left heartbroken this morning.

Despite how conflicted they felt about leaving, they are off. Their future together awaits......