The most THOUGHTFUL gift EVER!!

I'm sure you all remember the "Best Friends" necklaces from childhood. One friend would receive the "Best" charm while the other kept the "Friends" part. I certainly went through my fair share of these trinkets. Well, a few weeks ago, one of our friends from work gave us custom made necklaces inspired from the "Best Friends" model as tokens for our upcoming journey. Get your tissues ready. I mean it. Did you get them? 

She contacted a guy that carves out images from quarters. The quarter is from Oregon (our destination in case you forgot). G's necklace has a guy riding a bicycle, while my half is a woman waving at him. When you put the two together it makes a whole just like our love. Awwwww shucks! We both were bawling and immediately passed out hugs. This gift is by far one of the most thoughtful gifts ever. Seriously. Thanks sooo much!!!

Very happy!

Best gift ever, the G rated version:

There I was dishing up a huge dose of Civics instruction to my first period class and in walks L. Without a word, she crosses to the back of my classroom and puts a box on the back desk and then leaves. When I finally open it, it's a card that expresses support and enthusiasm for the trip J and me are about to take. Her words were open, honest, direct and simply one of the sweetest expressions of thought I have ever read.

But it didn't stop there: Along with the card were two necklaces: one had a little cyclist on it, and the other had a woman in what looked like a victory pose, arms in the air. By themselves, and accompanied by the card they were enough to make me start crying.  But then when L showed me that they were actually two haves of one single coin, an Oregon quarter that she had had custom made for us, I was shocked....and inspired.

In the often jarring journey that all humans take, we sometimes focus so intently on our own paths, that we forget the beauty and wonder that our fellow humans are capable of.  L reminded me of that beauty and I will remember her example forever. Thank you L!

Your friend,

G