on eating our way out of kirksville

We are so blessed.

As our last day in Kirksville is nearing, I've been overcome by the nostalgic lump-in-the-throat. upon leaving this town 2 years ago, I felt genuinely sad to be graduating from Truman and wished that i didn't have to leave K-Vegas. Well, i got my wish about a year later. But surprisingly, i just wasn't all that excited to move back. I had officially gotten over the grieving stage and now, coming back, I thought I would just feel old and out of place. I felt as though all of my friends had left and in my mind I had already moved on. However, even though a lot of my classmates were not around, the families that I had grown to know were still here, and I forgot just how welcoming, kind, and loving they were. I love hanging out with the couples and friends that we have that are our own age, but there is also something special hanging out with older married couples and their families, being surrounded by pure family joy and wisdom is special and I love soaking it up.

It is sad, though, that now that it is our last week here, we are just now trying to get together with all of our friends. I don't know why we didn't realize that we should've taken advantage of the opportunity to hang out all year, but it never really sinks in until the end. So, needless to say, this week has been jam-packed with the great people in our lives and I think I'm still on a friend-high right now.

Saturday, we went out to a potluck at the Mann ranch. The Manns and Magruders have meant so much to my entire family. My mom taught the mom (Laura) piano lessons when she attended school here and Laura was an incredible woman who welcomed my brother and me the minute we started school here. She would invite us into her home for these AMAZING meals and conversation. Her kids were great and I had the opportunity to babysit them several times.

Sunday night, Jamie and his wife Karen took us out to eat at La Pachanga and they are SO FREAKING COOL (they both have a double-doctorate - one in poetry and the other one in awesomeness). I want to be them when I grow up: down to earth, funny, and extremely nice. Ps. Thanks, Google Images, for helping me find these profile shots. You're the best.



Last Friday's dinner, Monday lunch, and Thursday dinner was spent with Dr. Jesse and John and well...I can't even sum up what they mean to us. Brad and I experienced heaven whenever we'd go there.

They would fix us these elaborate, delicious meals (steaks, salmon, sushi, etc.) and I would have to hold back my groans of delight whenever I took a bite. This, coupled with the fact that some of the best conversations I've ever heard happened at their house, makes me miss being in their presence already.








The past Monday my boss, Nancy, hosted a going away party for me at her home where we ate BBQ, yummy cake, and played Quiddler (I am in love with word games). I will definitely miss my co-workers.

Tuesday night consisted of a large gathering of fellow Truman students/friends: The Jones', Jared, J-Mo, and Mike. It was great to be gathered around the table with them at Il Spazio, discussing everything from politics to puke. This is why I love these people.

Wednesday night we were treated to an amazing home-cooked meal by our newlywed friends, Chris and Marie. Chris used to work on the Hill in St. Louis, so you can only imagine the Italian goodness that we experienced that night. We loved their company and I'm pretty sad that we're leaving, just as we're getting to know them better.