I took a date to a funeral ...

On Christmas Eve I got a phone call from my good friend and former roommate and co-worker Amy Jo. We met at the BYU Bookstore when I was a freshman in college.

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Before I tell you about the phone call, let me share a bit (OK a lot) about my summer of '96 (I think Bryan Adams was really singing about that summer - not '69).

I lived at the Enclave #105 with these girls.


and these girls


and these girls - Amy's cousin Mandy lived there too but I couldn't find a picture with her.


I turned 20 while living there - these girls came by from Liberty Square to wish me happy birthday.


I worked at the BYU bookstore with Amy Jo and these good friends who I got to see on my dating tour across America.



I bought my first car - yes it was a VW... duh. I bought it from Jayne and Katie's parents.



One of my roommates, Danielle, married this guy who lived upstairs.



I shoved conditioner up this up this guy's nose - somehow Amy got involved too.



I met this friend, Laura Cooper, through Amy and have worked for Laura's dad ever since. Those are leaves hanging off our belts - we were a bit nerdy.
Good thing I'm not nerdy like that anymore ...



I did some rapping and awesome hip hop dancing with Amy and Danielle.



Big John Tate visited often and played games on my ancient Macintosh computer (we didn't even have the internet back then - in fact we thought we were so cool because we had caller ID).



We went to Vegas with these boys (the SPGs) and I had a huge crush on the handsome dark-haired one. I was the only one not old enough to gamble.



In an attempt to inspire this handsome, dark-haired boy into loving me, I hung this portrait of me above his bed. It didn't really work but the picture became a permanent fixture in their apartment for the rest of the semester - I think it was kind of a joke.

ANYWAY,
Amy called to let me know that her wonderful, humble, kind father had recently passed away and would I attend the funeral on Saturday. Of course I said I'd be there. I immediately called a couple of mutual friends who live out of town hoping they could make it to the funeral. Neither of them could and so I was asked to give hugs on their behalf etc. I didn't want to go by myself so I decided to ask a boy to go with me.

I did and he said yes and we went and it was nice and I cried.

I was reminded about how important the gospel is in our lives and how the Lord only takes our spirits when we die - we leave every earthly possession behind. I like funerals not because I like it when people die but because I am always reminded of what is most important.

Amy Jo has always been a good friend and example. I love spending time with her kids. I thought she did a great job speaking today at the funeral.

ANYWAY,
As we were leaving, I ran into a friend who I hadn't seen in years and I introduced her to my date as the one roommate who tried extra hard to never see my bare butt (I thought mooning was sooooo funny back then).

My date laughed hysterically and I think I scared my old roommate's husband a bit.

This whole experience reminded me of those days at Enclave #105 and that is why I just blogged about it all.