Times are changing

Today, May 30, 2009...Steven Adams, Zachary Cawthorn, Charlie Ellis, Lauren Reimink, Marissa Rhymer, Victoria Shipley, Daniel Griffen, Carl Brown Setterlind, Brittani Taylor, and Hannah Warren all graduated High School! It was the most meaningful, sincere, thoughtful graduation I have ever been to. I am so happy for each of them...I know that God'll use them in great ways if they let him. It was really hard for me to sit through the graduation though...I had so many mixed feelings...I just started realizing how fast life goes by. On one side of me was my brother who is going to be starting his SECOND year of middle school, on the otherside was my Mom who is turning 40 this year, Taylor Warren who is getting married this Saturday and Jordan Setterlind my first boyfriend back in the 8th/9th grade. In front of me where 10 graduates, 7 of who were big parts of my life..even if they didn't know it...and they were about to take the next stepping stone of they're life..the stepping stone that says "I'm not a child anymore, I'm an adult...and my life begins at this moment". One of the seven was my 2nd boyfriend in the 9th/10th grade..also my best friend in those years, Zachary Cawthorn. It was at that stage in my life where I was the most broken, where I made stupid mistakes...and I realized as he walked on that stage that though my "dating" him was inmature and ridiculous...he was one of the many who have left a footprint in my heart. I realized that I had a harbored anger toward him, anger that he didn't deserve..I looked at him in a whole new way and was so proud of him...he has grown up to be a godly, determined, smart guy. The other two, Brittani Taylor and Hannah Warren have been my sisters since 4th grade...no one will ever be able to take there place...with everything in me I hope that they never leave my life. So many countless memories were made with them and I love each of them more than they know. I'm so excited for them both, they're each so talented and driven. Carl Brown Setterlind was Jordan's brother...and though he'll probably never know it...he has been a big brother to me at times in just the past couple of years...we went through phases of being close..but I always knew I could go to him. CB is one of the most special guys I know, I have so much respect for him and I have no doubt in my mind that God will shine through him in this next stage of his life. Daniel and I have a very different relationship than the rest...though I don't really call him a friend now...he still left a mark on my life. Daniel was a close friend when I was figuring out who I was, looking back now I don't even recognize that girl...but all I know was he was a friend I chose at that time. I can't say he was one to help me along the way, or that I can look at our past friendship and smile, but he was still a mark in my teenage years. Marissa and Lauren were two older girls that I always looked up to, they are both beautiful, godly young ladies that have left such a positive footprint on my life. Lauren and I got really close last summer when I recommitted my life to Christ. She encouraged me in so many ways. None the less I was a complete "ball bag" all through the graduation...a flood of memories came to mind. Honestly change had always scared me, I hate letting people go. I know they'll still be around, but still, things will never be as they used to. It really helped me know why I love each of them in different ways and to appreciate everyone around me. Next year it'll be me.....time does fly...