I Hate to say Goodbye…But I LOVE to say Hello!!
Yep… the only part about this trip that I have been dreading is finally upon us. The goodbyes. I know that nobody really likes to say goodbye to someone but I’ll argue that I might dread it just a little more than most people. Now I obviously understand that leaving does not by any means mean that we will never see all of our friends and family again…geez, but there’s still of course that aching feeling in the pit of my stomach for all of these pecial people that I won’t be seeing on a daily basis like I have for such a long time.
The friends that we have are indescribable. We’ll be saying goodbye to the most amazing group of people that I have ever had the privilege of meeting in just 3 short days… 
I can only hope that flights are being booked as I write this to come and visit us ASAP out in our new and glorious home of Palo Alto, CA. I can’t wait to start playing tour guide when we have visitors… just give me a minute to find my way around first and then we can hit up all of sweet places!!
This whole experience is SO bittersweet. There’s no question that I’ll think of and miss our sweet friends every single day while we start our new life out in Cali, an entire NATION away from everyone… but hope of meeting new people and finding awesome opportunities will definitely keep us preoccupied 
Indiana has been a crazy ride for some time now… I think we’ve lived up the past year as much as is possible in this great state. Now it’s time to head off into the sunset for our next grand adventure!!!!!!
Goodbye Indiana……….. HELLO Palo Alto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stephanie says goodbye
Although Stephanie and I are both very excited to head out to California, that doesn’t mean that we aren’t saddened by the fact that we’re leaving many, many wonderful friends and family behind. Yesterday we headed up to Chicago to see a couple of Stephanie’s best friends in the entire world so that she could hang with them one last time before we make the big trek out to the West Coast.
You know, it’s not real easy to explain, but I’ve had such a weird feeling the last week or so whenever I actually take some time and think about the people that I’ll be 2,000+ miles from in less than a week. On one hand I get really sad due to the fact that I’ll rarely see many of the people that are currently in my life here in Indiana/Midwest. But, on the other hand I feel that thanks to the web I’ll still be able to stay in touch with most of the people and that it’s not that big of deal. I don’t really know how to explain exactly how it feels, but it seems to become more apparent each day that we get closer to leaving.
But, of course we’re both getting more and more excited with each day as well. Just think…this time next week we’ll actually be settling into our new cottage in Palo Alto. Wow, this is going to be such an adventure….I’m so glad that you’re all taking the journey with us.
Nothing says appreciation like a colored picture
As many of you may or may not know, Stephanie and I have become quite the fantastic coaching duo over over the past couple months that we’ve coached Special Olympics basketball together. We’ve had an absolute amazing experience with the players, their family/staff and the other volunteers that help out with the games as well.
However, with all of the competitive spirit that has been building up in me since I stopped playing basketball in college, I feel like it’s sometimes easy to get wrapped up in our team winning every single game(which we haven’t come close to doing). Although winning is the ultimate goal in any sporting event, I often find myself needing to step back a bit so that I can take in the big picture of what’s truly important when coaching my team of Special Olympians.
The team just isn’t playing basketball. In fact, that’s probably just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what the players actually gain from playing the simple game that’s such an Indiana tradition. It is way more than just a game - it’s becoming more social, gaining better communication skills, getting to hang out with friends, getting in better shape and just a great break from their sometimes not-so-easy everyday lives.
I’m so glad that Stephanie and I have gotten involved and I’m even more glad that the players are getting something out of it. I’m looking forward to coaching for many, many more seasons to come and who knows, maybe we’ll even coach another sport. Swimming anyone?
If you would like to volunteer for something with Special Olympics click here for more volunteer info on their website.
He asked… She said yes!
One thing that really excites me is getting that special phone call from a friend of mine upon which i answer and she squeals, “I’m engaged”. After the initial screaming and giggling for a good couple of minutes we settle down and end up in a lengthy conversation involving intricate details of the entire proposal scene involving the events leading up to the proposal, her initial reaction, and the happiness shared by the two after her sweet answer of yes. For those few moments my friend tells me all about the very moment that every girl dreams about in her life, and she describes it in such detail so that I feel as if I were right beside her when it happened. It’s like a girly movie that all of us girls can get together and talk about as we laugh, cry, and converse about the past events that have led up to this very moment of the couple’s relationship. Cue the boys… “gag”! I had the opportunity to enjoy this very thing with my dear friend/roomie in college, Holly. Holly and her boyfriend Ryan were engaged on February 16, in Chicago, IL. Although according to Ryan, things didn’t go quite as planned, as you can see here in their engagment story, that the end result was of course fantastic and they are planning to exchange their vows this summer in June.
The engagment period, it’s such a crazy time in a couple’s relationship. Months and months of excessive planning and preparation for 8 hours of wedding. Although it seems like a bunch of trouble for nothing, I’m sure that it’s all worth it for the memory and significance of that special day. Knowing Holly I’m guessing that this will be one beautiful wedding - she is quite the graphic designer and has many tricks up her sleeve when it comes to art/photography/web design/you name it. In fact, check out their website here. Prepare to be impressed.
Back to the engagement, it’s amazing how relationships work. The awkward phase at the beginning, the time of confusion when you’re left to figure each other out during the getting to really know you phase, and the sweet bliss of finally being in love, real love, the kind that you say “yes I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you” love. The kind of love when you know that you would do absolutely anything for your partner no matter how hard it may be, or the kind of love that says we believe we can stick this out even though things won’t always be perfect, and of course the kind of love that says there is no other person in this world that I would rather cherish and love for the rest of my life other than you. That’s the kind of love that we all seem to be searching for. The most ironic thing is that you never really seem to find it because this love actually seems to find you when you least expect it. Dare I say that this very thing has in fact happened to myself and my boyfriend Ryan? Without any reservations I can in fact say yes, it has… but don’t get all crazy on us yet… geez it’s only been 7 months:)
I just want to take the opportunity of this post to congratulate Holly and Ryan on their special Engagement and the excitement that will follow them in these next few months, and eventually years as they grow as a couple together in their journey through life as husband and wife. I love you guys and look forward to seeing you two become the new Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Gauper.
Also, be sure to check out their sweet ‘Gettin’ Hitched’ online wedding journal when you get a chance…I told you that Holly has skills.