They waved at me....

Jon and Stacey left England today. And things feel different....

Jon and Stacey were our first friends in England. We had never met before, but had a a few significant mutual contacts. I had high hopes that we would be good friends. When they first arrived in Cambridge, Charles picked them up at the bus station in Cambridge (we arrived two weeks earlier) and drove them to their flat. I remember calling home from work that day and in a very excited/nervous voice asking Charles how it was. I remember saying, 'did you like them? do you think we will be friends? what were they like?' After two weeks on our own, I was feeling a need for friends, and I was really hoping that Jon and Stacey would fill this void. And they for sure did!

They are the type of friends that you get to be yourself with. I have so many memories. These are just a few:

• I used to so look forward to our weekly Monday night talks (after laundry).
• I have great memories from our trips to Wales and Slovenia.
• The excitement I had when they walked into my room at the hospital after giving birth to Jack. They were 'our family' who came to visit. Jack's first visitors.
• Christmas 2005 that we spent together.
• No one is more fun to cook for than Jon. He makes even me feel like a good cook.
• Jon and Charles taking study breaks to come eat chocolate chip cookies or hot rolls.
• Picking Stacey up to drive her to work when her ankle was injured.
• After we moved to London, the way Jack and Theo would get so excited when Jon and Stacey would come for a visit.
• Chili and donuts - we will always think of Stacey when we eat these
• Stacey and my trip to the theatre in London.
• Our Pizza Hut dates (the last one being yesterday!)

Their plane was to take off at 12:15 today from London. Around 12:30 today Jack spotted a plane in the sky and said 'there go Jon and Stacey'. I jokingly asked him how he knew that was their plane. Without a hesitation, he said 'they waved at me'.

Six years later, and they are moving back to the US. We are so excited for the ministry God has called them to in Spokane. We are certain the folks in Spokane will be hugely blessed by them both.

We will miss them. They will forever be part of 'OUR England'. Thanks for the friendship...and from our family, here is a big wave back!