I feel very blessed to have grown up with the parents I had. I love them so much. I consider myself one of the lucky ones. My parents were together for 34 years when my dad died. My mom was kind, loving, took care of us, was supportive and is truly one of my best friends nowadays. My dad always made sure to come to a game or concert, protected us, knew how to make us laugh, and always asked me to watch tv with him. People would probably say that my dad had a temper, which he did. Being the youngest though, I quickly learned how not to receive that temper (thanks Kyme and Matt!).
Right before I was married and about to graduate from college, my parents moved to Branson. Mom recently moved back to Illinois. I miss being able to drive down to Branson and just hang out with my parents all weekend. Talking, watching movies, shopping, eating out. It was so great enjoying them as people. I still do all those things with Mom, it's just different without Dad, ya know?

This is one of my favorite pictures of my parents.


This is the last picture I took of my parents together.


This is the wreath we put on Dad's grave the day we buried some of his ashes in Rantoul.


This is a somewhat recent picture of Mom and I after she moved back to Illinois.