Dear Bryan

Dear Bryan,

There's some things I think you should know; some things I've been wanting to tell you.

We're doing all right. We miss you something terrible, but we're living again. We've continued some of your traditions. I bought Teri Grey's Anatomy and sent it from Lucy and Bandit for her Birthday. The dogs still give Christmas presents and we still hang your stocking.

I tried to make Mom and Dad and Teri watch Inception. I know you would have absolutely loved it and tried to get us all to watch it. I understand your frustration with us- Haha!

I have a dog! You would think she's adorable. Her name is Ellie and she likes to cuddle. And now that I'm a dog owner, I understood why you let Lucy chase after Blake all those years. Ellie chases shadow because she wants to play but Shadow is terrified of her. Part of me wishes Shadow would just man up and tell her to leave him alone. Lucy and I are the best of friends now. I know she and I didn't get along when you were alive but I don't know what I would do without her now!

Dad's adjusted to having 3 dogs in the house. In fact, he let Teri adopt a BIG dog. But the little ones were terrified of him so he had to go back. I think once I'm a little bit more financially capable, I'd like to star fostering Boston Terriers. That will be my way of carrying you on.

I wrote an awesome thesis and graduated on time. You would have gotten a copy if you had still been alive. It's dedicated partially to you, partially to Mom and Dad and Toons. I still can't believe I have my Master's Degree but I know you'd brag about it for me. And so I'm proud of that.

I'm bummed that you never got to visit New Hampshire. We would have had a BLAST! I have very few regrets in my life but I regret that I never got to show you around Boston/NH and I regret that are last conversation was about you missing the trip. We were both so bummed. Most days I can be at peace with it bc I know the fact that we were bummed proves that we were looking forward to seeing each other.

I got a tattoo for you. Mom and Dad weren't too happy, but they weren't too upset either. HA! I finally got away with something that you didn't get away with! And now I'm addicted. Scott and Amanda and Rachel took me. They've done a great job filling in as your voice. It's not the same as having you around but they mean a lot to us so we stay involved. You'd like their new house. It would be a blast to party there!

Your God Son is growing up so nicely. He's such a cute little kid! And Cori had a son. He's a ton of fun too. I get to be Aunt Katie to him and that means so much to me. Remember when we were saying that we felt behind schedule bc all our friends were getting engaged and married? Teri has informed me just how far behind I am -haha! She was sure I needed to be engaged by the end of college. Oops! Now the plan is that I have to have a kid before Lucy dies so Dad has someone to focus on.

Its weird that you will probably never meet the man I choose to marry. I mean I could marry someone you knew before you died but it doesn't seem likely right now. Remember when you tried to set Josh up with another girl? I won't ever forget it. And each guy I date, I wonder what you would think of him. If he doesn't meet what I think your standards would be, he doesn't last.

I live in Missouri now. I work at the University of Missouri. It would have been fun to take you to the 100th HC game. I think that's something you would have had fun with.

Teri has decided on a double major finally. She's making progress. And Mom is almost ready to Graduate. She's decided to go back and get her Master's Degree in counseling. Your death had effects that we didn't even expect. Leigh and Sean and I are closer now. Not as close as you three used to be, but closer than we were before. Kaylyn will get her DL next week and all I can think about is that picture you took of her when she was just a toddler.

I visit QT as often as I can. The folks in the DFW area really stepped in and took care of us when you died. They paid for a lot of the costs associated with your death and we were so grateful! Now Mom and I go a few extra blocks to stop at a QT if we need gas. And I'm addicted to their un-sweet Tea and Hot Dogs. That reminds me of the time you filled my stocking on Christmas Morning with stuff from the gas station HAHA!

I miss you. Give Blake a hug for me and find JoAnn up there too. Love you!

-kt