NATHAN METCALF
I met Nathan at EFY when I was 14 years old. He was one of the cutest guys in my EFY group and we became pretty good friends while we were there. A few months after I left EFY I got a letter from him in the mail. He'd hit a rough patch in his life and was looking for a friend. Over the next 4 years, we wrote letters, emailed, talked on the phone, and Skyped. Nathan was a wild child and was always looking for new ways to shock me. However, he always reassured me that he loved my non-wild side and wanted me to stay exactly how I was. The summer after I graduated from high school I didn't hear from Nathan for a long period of time. I finally went online and investigated his MySpace page and found out he had passed away the week before. I was devastated. Nathan taught me that it was okay to be me, that someone could like me for who I was, that people can be depended on, and that love can cross state lines. Sadly, Nathan and I never got a picture together. The picture we took together at EFY on one of those disposable cameras didn't come out. This is one of the last pictures I have of him, he sent it to me about a month before he died. I miss him everyday.
JAKE HAWKES
Jake came into my life in a period of change for me. I was in college and had a whole new group of friends and was trying out different things. He played soccer and we immediately connected. Jake was funny, the life of the party, but he also had a sweet side. He would always make sure I was okay, that I wasn't too upset and that I knew who cared about me. Jake and I went through many adventures together, some good and some bad, but he was always making me laugh. I'm thankful to Jake for teaching me to expand my horizons, to do things I would never have done, and for helping me when I thought I couldn't handle things anymore. I am most thankful to Jake for loving 2 people that helped me change my life. Jake was Dain's best friend, helped me keep him out of trouble, sometimes induced the trouble, always stuck by his side and I count on him now to continue doing so. I'm sure he is in heaven keeping his end of our deal. Jake also introduced me to Tauni. Tauni is one of the sweetest spirits I know and she has helped me through my darkest hours. Without Jake, I never would have known this beautiful woman and I wouldn't have learned from her.
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| Jake and I on Cinco de Mayo |
PATSY KAY CHRISTENSEN
My grandma Patsy was the best. She used to tend me when both of my parents were working when I was a little kid. She would pour me a bowl of cereal or make me some toast and let me watch cartoons in the morning. She was an avid jogger every morning- I need to be more like her! We would go on adventures in the afternoons to Stokes or a walk around the hill. I am lucky enough to share my middle name with her, my grandpa still makes a point to remind me of that every time we talk by calling me Ashley Kaye. Grandma Patsy loved with her whole heart. I never questioned whether or not she loved me, I always knew. She loved to shop, she loved purses, and she loved the color purple. All of these things remind me of her. She taught me a valuable lesson: Never go anywhere looking less than your best. She also taught me to be patient and to love your spouse. My grandparents would call each other "dear" when they were annoyed at each other and that taught me another valuable lesson- even when you want to strangle someone, you still love them. For my graduation present, Grandma Patsy knitted me a pink afghan and made me a cheesecake. Pink is my favorite color and I will treasure the afghan forever. Cheesecake is my all time favorite food and it just shows me how well she truly knew me.
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| Me and my pink afghan with Grandma |
BRENTON ATKINSON
Grandpa Brent was my biggest champion.He always supported me and let me know that he was in my corner. He was amazing at wood work, painting, and playing the harmonica. He loved to wear plaid flannel shirts and always smelled like wood and cologne. I can only assume my love for plaid flannels comes in part from him. My grandpa was a free spirit, he did things his own way and didn't care who he made mad in the process. He taught me to stand up for myself and never take crap from anyone. Grandpa also taught me the value of hard work. He built our cabin with his bare hands and it is pretty awesome- no one else's cabin will ever compare to ours up Maple Crick. Grandpa Brent knew how to have fun. He loved our annual New Years Day tradition of sledding and was always happy to fire up the snowmobile to give us a lift back to the top. He took my cousins, Parker and I on some grand adventures through South Dakota, North Dakota and Denver that none of us will ever forget. He could also keep a secret. The biggest lesson I learned from my grandpa is the value of family- he loved having us all together and spending time as a family. Whether it was our annual egg fight, our family Christmas party, just a Sunday in Franklin, or watching conference together, he was always sad when we had to leave and his famous words were "Are you leaving already?"
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| Secrets :) |
SHEA LISTON
Shea was my bestie. No one else will ever claim that title in my life. Shea was everyone's sweetheart. Any party or store or restaurant we went to it seemed like everyone knew her and loved her. Right off the bat Shea taught me the value of kindness- she smiled at everyone and always had a kind word to say. Shea and I grew together quickly and for the next 2 years we were inseparable. We were each others Valentines, ate at Cafe Rio and Carl's Jr. every week, and giggled in the back of Relief Society. We went to General Conference, partied like rockstars, and laid in my backyard all summer long talking about the mysteries of life. Shea was my shoulder to cry on, my listening ears when I'd had a bad day, and my partner in crime when I was feeling reckless. She taught me to laugh when I felt like crying, to always give someone another chance, that a smile could make someone's day, to always put others first, and to be brave when it felt like the world was against you. She taught me to go after what you want and never give up on someone you love. There is a hole in my life every day, a little bit of sunshine missing. She was my bestie and I can't wait to see her in heaven.
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| Besties |
