A lot has happened in the little time since I last posted so I’m just going to combine it all into this End of 2016 post.
Josh & Beth’s Wedding:
December 23rd I went to a friends wedding. The groom was the best man in my wedding and one of Bob’s best friends. I knew because of that reason it would harder than the other weddings I’ve been to since Bob passed. The girlfriends/wives of the guys got drinks before hand across the street and on our walk back we all shared 1 umbrella. It was a picture worthy moment but it was too dark. Seeing all of Bob’s friends standing up there with Josh just made me sad and I couldn’t hold back the tears. I was wondering what stupid face or stupid thing Bob would be doing while standing up there which made me smile a little. Him and Josh definitely had a special kind of friendship, always pranking each other in little ways. The first time I hung out with Bob was also the same time I met Josh for the first time. It just happened to be December 23, 2004, 12 years earlier to the day of Josh’s wedding. Josh’s wife Beth is amazing and I’m so glad she got to know Bob. She had Bob’s DSN embroidered into the suit jackets of all the guys. It was such a special thing she did for them and a way to honor Bob and make sure he wasn’t forgotten on their special day. Our friend John was the best man and he too included Bob. His best man speech was great and I laughed and cried and just had to hug him after and thank him for remembering Bob. Most days I think people have forgotten about him but I know that’s not the case especially after what Beth and John did that day. I know they will always remember him and I’m thankful for the crazy stories they have that the boys will one day learn about. Right before I left, Josh made me take a shot with the guys. Tequila was more of Bob’s thing, not mine, but I did it.
Christmas Eve/Christmas:
I spent Christmas Eve with Bob’s family again this year and stayed the night with my brother in law and his family. Lauren and I did some last minute shopping while Rob stayed at the house with the boys. We woke up Christmas day and opened gifts. I think the best gift they got was from Uncle Rob and Aunt Lauren which was fishing poles and tackle boxes. You’re never too young to learn to fish and I can’t wait to watch them learn. Logan has been asking for a while to go fishing so now I’m glad he’s closer to being able to go. My friend Brandon has also mentioned taking the boys so I’m sure they will get in a lot of fishing this year.
The following week I took the boys to Kansas City for a couple of days. Bob’s brother Mike and his family live there so it was nice to visit with them and have the boys play with their cousins. We had a great time and can’t wait to go back.
On the 30th I took the boys to Bee Tree to visit Bob’s tree and to take advantage of the pretty decent weather. I also showed them the tree Bob and I used to take pictures by. They loved the tree and wanted to climb it just like Bob and I used to. It was the first time I’ve taken the boys for a walk around the lake and they had a great time. Their little legs started getting tired after a while but they did good and had fun.
My mom came up on New Years Eve with my niece and nephew and watched the boys for me so I could go out. The kids had a blast with their cousins! I spent New Years with new people in my life and I have to say it was the best time I’ve had in a long time. I played beer pong which I hadn’t done that in over 10 years and apparently I can get pretty competitive, haha.
January 2, 2017:
Normally on this day all I would have thought about was the fact that this is the day 2 years ago that my life changed, the day they found the mass in Bob’s chest. Instead I stayed busy working on my business and trying to get my house organized a little more. My friend Nick called me to let me know that some of the guys would be wearing tape with Bob’s and Blake’s DSN’s either on their jersey’s or on their skates when they went onto the ice today before the Blues Winter Classic game. This right here is just another reason I don’t need to dwell on these days. There’s nothing I can do that would bring Bob back and nothing we could have done that would have changed the outcome. When something like this happens though I can change the date January 2nd from being bad to being good. January 2, 2017, this is the date that officers of the St. Louis County Police Hockey team remembered Bob and brought him with them onto the ice. I will forever be thankful for the officers that Bob brought into my life. These were my friend Eric’s skates.
I have a feeling 2017 is going to be a much better year for the boys and I. I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time, I’m more focused on my LuLaRoe business and I’m trying to be more active to stay as healthy as I can for these boys of mine.