Wow, I never thought this time could come quick enough. Here we are, both off at college and living our lives. Did you ever imagine today when we were making spaghetti for your whole family, only to end up being the only ones eating it? Did you ever imagine today when you sat at my kitchen table with Bert desperately trying to help me eat all the food in my house? Did you ever imagine today when we stood in your driveway and had ourselves a good, old-fashioned cry? I certainly did not.
(Playing in the rain because why not)
(I haven't laughed that hard in a long time)
(The double rainbow came after this storm)
Looking back on the past few years, I realize that liking that boy was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I still remember sitting in the computer lab, Abby between us, and you leaning over to join the conversation. It just blew up from there. Suddenly we were in the back of Chad Freeman's classroom chatting it up. Before I knew it, I was walking into your house without knocking. Then we became the Terrible Teen Lesbian Moms. And now here we are, college students learning how to live life.
(ALWAYS cleaning)
(Bringing your family ice cream cones)
(Driving to nowhere)
(Sorry not sorry for this one)
(Me and my child)
Thank you for letting me into your home and into your family. For allowing me to be "that white girl" at your family parties.
Thank you for never letting me forget that God is love. For always reminding me, ever so subtle, that I am never alone.
Thank you for sharing your pain with me. For not holding back and for letting us grow together through the things that should have broken us down.
Thank you for being Nathallie Chavez. For never apologizing for this and never holding back.
(Subject to Change)
(2012 graduation)
(Walking in heels)
(This makes me think of happiness)
Today we stood in your bedroom and laughed about all the hard times we faced together. Well, Nathallie, I guess it's true. "When you're older, you will understand." We made it through some of the roughest patches we will ever face, and now we get it. We have learned to cherish the good times instead of wallowing in the bad times. We have learned to laugh when all we want to do is cry. We have learned that true friendship, the kind of friendship that many people will never find, is something that knows no awkwardness and loves the silence. So this one's to you, Nat. May you find all the happiness you deserve and may you never forget the girl with the freckles and the crooked smile.
(Adorable)
(Our true selves…. eating of course)
(Hotties)
(Typical.)
(You're part of my family, too.)
You are always welcome where ever I am breathing.
I love you, Nat.
