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Mrs. G. was my high school history teacher. I think when I had her she was just out of college, which makes me feel oh-so-old. I don’t remember much about Mrs. G., but I remember her enthusiasm and how when she wanted to make a point, she would slam her fist into her other hand (which she is doing in this picture!)
I also remember getting caught passing notes in Mrs. G.’s class, but that’s a story for another day…
Ahhh, good ol’ Rusty. My buddy. Rusty was one of the few reasons why I was sad about leaving the Naval Academy – he was one of the greatest coworkers/bosses I ever had.
I first met Rusty when I came to interview for the job at USNA. I had to spend the night at a hotel because I flew in from Oklahoma for the interview. Rusty pulled up to pick me up the next morning in his old red pickup. I loved it.
Rusty has the most dry sense of humor and we quickly became friends. He also has a (not so secret) adoration for golden retrievers. Charmer loves him, even though the one time she came to visit him in the office she promptly vomited on the carpet (Rusty said that’s the impact he has on most women).
Rusty is a great dad and another one of the highlights of working at USNA was getting to spend time with his family. Watching Army/Navy on the TV isn’t the same as huddling near a heater with his daughter Amy and willing ourselves to actually go into the game.
Mrs. Behr is the sweet mom to my crazy friend, Meckenzie. She is actually what brought Meckenzie and I together, believe it or not. I don't have a photo of Mrs. Behr, so here is one of me and Meckenzie from our early years (it was Halloween and we were farmers).
I found out I got into Lehigh a few weeks before Christmas, and my mom called up to the bookstore to have them send a sweatshirt down for a present (yes, before the days of that new-fangled thing called “online shopping”). Mrs. Behr was the bookstore manager and spoke to my mom that day, happy to tell her that she too had a daughter joining the great Lehigh University Class of 2001. At some point during our freshman year, Meckenzie (who lived three or four doors down from me) and I got to talking about my sweatshirt or something and realized that our moms had talked on the phone.
So I should thank Mrs. Behr for helping to bring me together with one of the nicest, kindest, sweetest, craziest, caring people I’ve ever known, her daughter.
Edra is a friend from college who I am probably better friends with now than when we were actually at school! She became closer with my girlfriends after I moved away to Oklahoma, but I’m so glad to call her a friend now. (She is in the blue dress next to the groom!)
Edra is a sweet, athletic, loving teacher. I bet she is great in the classroom. She was so much fun to hang out with at Molly’s wedding and I got to see her again later last summer in San Diego. She was the person who the morning I had to fly home from Molly’s wedding (sans wallet), lent me $20 to “buy myself something nice at the airport.” Everyone needs a friend like that!
Steve is a former co-worker from the Naval Academy (he's in the front of this photo). He was one of the people at this job that actually made it fun (some days). Steve was always quick to compliment a new outfit, a new hairstyle, and also was there when you needed to talk.
Steve was “the man” I was referring to in this post. He teased me about it for months.
Lisa is one of Ken’s first cousins. She’s younger than us (just by a little bit – a senior in college!)
Lisa is sweet and very smart. I think Lisa is set to make a real impact whatever she decides to do. She is majoring in International Relations (with all kind of languages too) and I hope that she moves to D.C. after graduating. :) This picture (which I borrowed from Facebook) is her in Greece – she traveled to Geneva for a school program last year and got to see a lot of Europe. Lucky girl.
Mom Mom is my maternal grandmother. She passed away far too early when I was far too young. She meant the world to my mom and my mom has never stopped missing her.
Mom Mom didn’t have an easy life – she married a difficult man and had five children. (And I know at least one of them – my uncle John – really kept her on her toes!) She raised her children in the city of Wilmington, Delaware.
I think most of what I remember about Mom Mom is from pictures. Pictures of her at my aunt Debbie’s wedding, pictures of her holding my cousin Patrick as a baby. Pictures of her sitting at the kitchen table with us. Pictures of her holding me as a baby, me with a huge grin and lots of drool.
My grandmother loved her pink velour sweatsuit, and that’s what she was buried in. A few years ago, my mom gave me my Mom Mom’s beloved pink hooded sweatshirt (I guess she loved pink!) It’s hanging in my closet – I can’t bring myself to wear it, but I think of her every time I see it.
We aren’t a particularly religious family – but both my mom and I think that Mom Mom has come back to us from time to time. She was a smoker and both mom and I will smell cigarette smoke at random times throughout life and we both think that Mom Mom is around, telling us she’s here. Before Ken and I got married, my mom had a dream that she was out shopping for a present for us with my grandmother. Mom Mom picked out some special glasses (in the dream). The next day (in real life), my mom did go out shopping for our wedding shower, walked into a store, and there were the glasses my Mom Mom had bought in the dream. We still have them today.
Dave is my brother-in-law (sister-in-law Katie’s husband) and father to Oliver (and Moses and Lily). He is probably one of the smartest people I know. I don’t remember what book it was, but when we first met Dave, I do remember he was reading a really large, intellectual book (this from the girl who just finished some really bad chick lit).
Dr. Dave is kind and patient and a really hard worker. He is in his residency (did I get that right?) to become an eye surgeon (I know there are fancier words for it, but that’s all I can think of). He is also a graduate of Ohio State and a huge fan. (The picture is him on the left with Ken when they went to an Ohio State game a few years ago.)
Dave might be book smart, but I should also mention that he’s kicking all of our butts in the fantasy football league. That shows some real street smarts. ;)
Laura Jean was one of my skating buddies for many, many years. She is sitting on the bar above me in this picture with the dark hair and the white hat (yes, I am aware I look like an old woman). This was a drama class her mother taught at the skating club. (Cameron - is this picture approved?) :)
Laura Jean was artistic and athletic. She had a personality that everyone loved, and an infectious smile. It's so funny what I remember about my skating friends most is their style on the ice. LJ and I competed against each other a lot, but it was always, always friendly. She usually (always?) placed above me and we would have so much fun on the medal stand, shaking each other's hands, acting like spirited competitors when really we were just good friends.
I lost touch with LJ over the years (although our mothers have kept in touch), but just e-mailed with her a few months ago. Turns out she is living in D.C., far too close to have any excuse for not catching up and reliving the good ol' skating days.
