I am going to TRYand write this blog post without crying but I am already tearing up so it is doubtful that will happen. Here goes…
First grade began for my daughter Faith as well as her soon to be good friend Kyle. They instantly became friends in class and would talk about each other to us Mom’s however, we did not know Kyle or his family and they did not know us so we had no face to a name, then a few months back…Faith started asking if she could have Kyle over for a playdate. I had met his Mom Kasey and thought she seemed super cool so I said, “sure”. Finally, Kasey and I became friends too and we started helping each other taking turns picking up the kids after school. Faith is a little shy as first so the first few times that Kasey invited her to play over at her home, Faith say, “No thanks”. Kasey being so sweet, just said Ok and brought her home. However, after leaving Faith would tell me…”Mom, I really wanted to play at Kyle’s”. Well, finally she did and she had a ball! She also hit it off with Kyle’s younger sister Skylar so she had two friends to play with. Kasey took the kids to a movie and dinner one night and Faith had SO much fun! Fast forward to these photos and why this story is bittersweet… Kyle asked his Mom if he could take Faith on a non-date without his sister Skylar. Kasey said, Ok. Little did she know, that Kyle had quite the plan! He wrote the cutest little checklist of things to do before the date: 1. Buy Faith flowers and chocolate, 2. Say something nice to her…it was the sweetest thing ever! He made his mom take him around all day preparing for his non-date. He also requested that he get “dressed up” so he wore a tie and new shirt and his dress shoes. Faith eagerly prepared too, putting on a new dress I bought her and fixing her hair just perfect along with asking if she could wear some lip gloss. 
Kyle came and picked up Faith and I almost cried when he walked up to the door by himself with flowers and a box for her. She was a little shy and nervous she told me. He gave her a box with the prettiest heart necklace and some yellow tulips. She was so excited! The pictures below really tell this story better than me! They went to feed the ducks and off to dinner, with their driver; MOM…Kasey! 
Kasey and I were talking as they got into the car and looked over and Kyle told Faith she looked beautiful as he opened the car door for her (ahhhhh)…Kasey and I were in shock! They had a wonderful time and after the non-date, Faith was talking about it all weekend!! The sad thing and this make Faith tear up everytime she thinks about it and heck, I have to admit, I feel the same…They are moving at the end of the school year! Heading to Arizona then back to Korea where Dad works and lives right now. It is heartbreaking! Friends like that moving away just hurts, period! 
They do plan to move back in a few years and they better and we plan to visit them in both places they go but it won’t be the same. Our families adore each other and Kyle and Faith…well, I secretly hope that someday they do have a real date! Now thanks for listening to my LONG story and I hope you enjoy the pictures…
XOXO,
Melinda
