I'm getting so sentimental these days

With 11 days left before the big move, most of my boxes are packed. But I think I should have waited before packing the Kleenex... I seem to be coming down with a case of weepies. So here's a tribute to just SOME of the people that have made life in Memphis great.

Katie came over yesterday to help me pack the kitchen. We spent hours just chatting away, and before I knew it my entire kitchen was stuffed into six large boxes. This makes me reflect on the fact that Katie and I have one of the easiest friendships I've ever known. Being able to just chit chat with her made the unbearable task of kitchen-packing fly by in a flash. While it makes me sad to know she won't be "just down the street" anymore, I know that we're going to continue on the way we always have. When we pick up the phone to chat, I have a feeling time will still fly. And I may not be able to remember what we talked about, but I know it'll be fun.

For those of you that don't know the Verks, they're my second family. They've been an amazing support system for my six years in Memphis, and even before that. Aunt Deknees is my mom's identical twin, so I guess that kinda makes her like a mom to me, since they're genetically a clone of one another. Uncle Rich always keeps me out of trouble, and my cousins, Ashley and Ryan, are practically siblings to me. (And the amount of mischief we managed to get into as kids never ceases to amaze me now that I'm older. Wes, if you ever read this, sorry for hitting you in the head with a line-drive Easter egg. I guess that wasn't very nice.)

I digress.

Anyway, the point is that I've loved being part of the Verk's extended family. Tonight, my aunt got tickets for a suite at Autozone Park to see the Redbirds. Although I have no idea what happened on the field, I know that a lot of fun took place inside the suite.

Here are the highlights:
1) Tyler was serenaded for his first birthday, and he got to try ice cream for the first time. He seemed sleepy prior to the ice cream, but now I understand what's truly meant when people say "sugar rush" because he was bouncing off the walls immediately after ice cream consumption. What a joy to see him laugh and play, and to watch everyone be "kids" again just playing with Ty!
2) Rocky the Redbird flashed me. That's right. He pulled up his jersey and flashed me. I've met Rocky several times in the years I've lived in Memphis. Never, ever, did I dream he'd flash me. But he did. What a way to cap off my time in Memphis!

For all the times the Verks took care of me, I wish there was some gift I could give that would let them know how much I've appreciated their love and kindness. I suppose for now, I'll just say "thanks for being my family away from home."