My Best Friends Are Cooler Than Yours

So, my friends really like to surprise me. Ryan and Kara Wight in particular. You see, I met Ryan when I was 12, back in the seventh grade. We were in jazz band together. He was in 8th grade. By the next year we were in choir together and just best friends. We have been since. I don't remember exactly when I met the rest of his family, but I've been best friends with them since then too. Seriously kids, I stop by their house even if only Mom and Dad are home and talk to them. Kara and I became really good friends when I was in 9th grade and she was in 7th grade. Ryan went off to high school so I was sad not to be seeing him every day, but enter Kara: problem basically solved. Fast forward to high school: Ryan got me through junior year. Every up and down he was there and visa-versa. We did just about everything together. I don't know how to explain it beyond that I really depended on him. But then he graduated and went to college in Logan. I felt like we kind of drifted apart a little, but the great thing about my relationship with Ryan is that we really can go months without talking and nothing will have changed. It sounds really cliche and dumb, but we really do understand the other person without saying a thing. So anyway, he leaves and we're at senior year. I just didn't know what to do with myself at the beginning of senior year. I didn't really know who my close friends were, but that really was a blessing in disguise because it gave me the chance to reconnect with old best friends (aka Buzz Lightyear), and it also brought Kara back into the picture. We stayed friends of course while we went to different schools...very very good friends, but things are different when you see a person every day. Now we really are best best friends.

Anyway, Ryan and Kara really like to surprise me. They used to show up randomly on my doorstep and we'd sit outside in my hugemongous driveway. Rr they'd surprise me when Ryan came home from school. They were always down for some good old fashioned shenanigans. It was the greatest. Then I went away to school. Enter all the really big surprises. One day I was at school hanging out in my dorm with my friend Camille Kalkman and Ryan and Kara show up at my door. Biggest surprise ever. Then they did it again. These kids just love pulling surprises on me. There have been a lot more, but we're not getting into that now. So anyway, Ryan is on his mission now. He's been out about 2 1/2 months; in Canada about 3 weeks. And not to imply that I don't miss everyone else on missions, but I've never had a close friend leave for one, let alone my very best friend, so this whole experience has been a bit rough. I'm so glad that I have the rest of his family here, but it's not the same. I've been okay though. We try not to think about it too much, but this weekend it hit me pretty hard. I've been sitting around with not much to do and not much to think about. Ryan was ALWAYS down for an adventure when I needed one. Unfortunately, he is gone and everyone else is in school or busy with finals. So these last couple of days I've really missed him.

Enter our latest surprise:
Today I wrote him a letter and right as I was finishing my siblings wanted to have present time for my mom as today is Mother's Day. We went out and as she was opening her gifts, Kara calls me. I texted her saying I could call her back in a minute. She replied saying Ryan was on the phone and she wanted to know if there was anything I wanted them to tell him for me. First off, completely touched that this family cares enough about both of us to ask me something like that (lets keep in mind that this is the same family who asked me to come over when Ryan opened his call. Seriously, how many friends do that? It's kind of a family thing ya know? I wasn't expecting it). Anyway, I just told Kara to tell him that I had just written a letter and I miss him. I was really happy. But I still missed him. But still...very happy. Then about an hour and a half later my phone rings to tell me I have a voice mail. I didn't recognize the number so I was really confused. I thought it would be something dumb I didn't want to deal with...but no...it was "Elder Wight from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints calling, wishing you a Happy Birthday, Happy Christmas, and everything that goes with it..." Not gonna lie I got a bit teary eyed. But who wouldn't? Honestly, how many people get PHONE CALLS from their friends while their on their missions? Letters yes, calls not so much. I just wish my phone had RUNG AND NOT BEEN STUPID! But I'll take what I can get for now.

After I got the message I texted Kara in excitement. She, of course, knew but didn't tell me because she wanted to surprise me. And ya, so it's not exactly missionary protocol, but it sure made me happy and you KNOW it would make you happy too :)

I have the best, best friends :)