Rules are made to be broken.

When I was younger I was very concerned about the way that my parents families got along. I loved my family and wanted us to always be close. I didn't want our family to end up not loving each other.

I remember getting my brothers and sister together and telling them that no matter what we needed to remain close. I said that our spouses may not like each of us but we know that we all love each other. None of us were married at the time so it seemed simple enough. I made some rules. Two of the rules I remember very clearly:

1. We were to always love each other even if our spouse had a problem with one of us.
2. We were to always live close to each other. No one could leave.

I know we talked about other things but these are the two things that I remember. I think it had a lot to do with the way that in-laws got along, and there was a family that lived away. We always wanted them closer because we missed them when they had to go home.

My point is that rule #2 is not holding up. I wish with all my heart that I could enforce these rules but I know that when you are a kid life seems easier to solve. When you live in the real world things can't always go according to plan. My only sister got married to a wonderful brilliant man. He had a plan and a path in which he was heading down that didn't comply with rule #2. When you work at the Pentagon it is hard to live in Utah. When she moved away I knew that that would be the last time she lived here. It was so hard to see her go. I knew it was the right thing, but curve balls are hard to take sometimes.

They have been gone for a while now and I miss them all the time. I have been able to adjust to it though. When they come it is precious time. I am happy for them and know that it is the best plan for there family.

Now my brother has chosen a path that also it taking him and his wife away. Again, I know that he is suppose to go, but it hurts so much. I always wanted to have my family close to me and to watch them all leaving is really hard. I wish that I could make them all stay but that is not the right thing. So goodbye for now. I hope that you guys enjoy your adventure away from home. I also hope that someday you will open a practice in Utah. I hope that is okay to hope for.
Smitty we wish you the best in Med school. Ashlee I hope that you make a million friends and find an awesome job. We love you both and are excited for your new future.

Next time someone leaves could you pick the west coast at least. Seriously the miles between us suck.

Oh and breaking rule #2 is okay (kind of) David and Michael figure out how to stay here. As for rule #1 there is no breaking that rule. GOT IT!