All Summer Long

[Kid Rock]

Michigan was playing the University of Utah in football the fall of KC's 1st semester of law school. As we were walking into our new apartment we passed a fellow 1L in the hallway. KC relayed to me that he had said something to this student, Steve (a Michigan grad), about the imminent standoff. The story concluded with, "I don't think he was interested in talking to me."

I had to laugh as I sat in Steve's apartment in Michigan this past week hearing Kase and him breakdown the upcoming season and then plan out a future trip to see the two school's battle out another game.

I can't recall how they got past the first conversation. I guess guys just do. But, whatever happened, I am glad it did. I love these boys. I feel we've got a 2 guys and girl and pizza shop thing going on, without the pizza shop. Though we did eat some delicious pizza (and bread nuggs). That can count.

Kase, Me, and Steve
Whale watching in Boston, Sept. 2009

Though the period during law school typically result in just the 3 of us travelling around, this trip was upgraded with the addition of Steve's girlfriend Adanna. We had briefly spent time with her on a few occasions during the last year of law school, but it was fun to get to know her better.

Steve, Adanna, Me, and Kase
WNEC Law School Graduation, May 2011

The 4 of us toured Northern Michigan over the past 5 days. And honestly, I am 99% sure I've broken my record for laughter in a week. I couldn't stop giggling. We had so much fun. Michigan was beautiful and a great place to vacation, but honestly it was the people I was with that REALLY made this vacation. I am confident that us 4 could have had this much fun in Antarctica. Are their penguins there? Cuz, we might lose Kase and Steve on that trip. Maybe we should avoid vacations with lovable animals.

Pictures are better than words. So I am just go that route. Plus, most of the stories that occurred were under the idiom "you had to be there."

Tuesday

View from the end of Old Mission Peninsula

Me and Adanna at Old Mission State Park

Chateau on Old Mission Peninsula

Levi Britton performing in Traverse City

Wednesday

Bay @ Lake Michigan

Sophie, Steve, and Kase (L to R)

River into Michigan Lake
Natural Slide

Commuter River into downtown Traverse City

Dinner and dessert at Red Ginger
(Where Adanna works. Amazing food.)

Trigger Boxing Gym
Home to Adanna's family's business.
Adanna was Ntl. Boxing Champ for her weight class at 16 yrs. old.

Mohammed Ali signed boxing glove. 

Nerdy picture of me boxing Steve.
(Yes, I am in a dress. Haha.) 

Thursday

It was rainy, so while KC and Steve hung out at the apartment
I went for a 9 mile run along a trail near Steve's apartment. 

Smaller lake along the running path

The path eventually took me out to the Bay @ Lake Michigan
I took advantage of this peaceful rain and sat in silence there for 15-20 min.

Friday

Glen Lake

Kase and I

Lake Michigan Overlook @ Sleeping Bear Dunes
This doesn't do it justice. Believe me.

Kase and I

Steve blocking the wind for me.

And the jumping photos start... 

The decent...with more jumping... 

...and some from Steve...

But, most from Kase.

At the bottom of the dunes.

Kase goofing around.

Kase and I

Throwing in a duck face...

Steve, Kase, and I

Steve and I swimming.

Then we had to climb back up...
It took us 17 minutes. (Kase took 34 min.)
1 step forward, 8 inches sliding back, repeat...
My calves were on FIRE by the time we reached the top.

Cute fishing town in Leland, MI

We browsed the docks. 

And saw this really cool old steamer...

Saturday

I ran a 5k Trail Run
Then went and laid at the beach with Adanna for a couple hours.

Meanwhile...the boys went golfing.

Between all these events we ate, ate, and ate more. Then sat around chatted, watched Newsroom and Breaking Bad, and got lots of sleep.

It was a super relaxing, fun time. I loved Michigan. Can't wait to go back. Thank you, again, Steve and Adanna for inviting us! Love you both!

Money Maker

[Ludacris]

He went from this...

KC's First Day of Law School
Massachusetts, August 2008

To this...

1L Fall Finals
Massachusetts,  December 2008

To this...

Moot Court Competition
Cincinnati,  April 2010

To this...

Law School Graduation
Massachusetts, May 2011

To this...

Letter informing of Bar passage
Salt Lake City, September 2011

And as of 10am today...

Meet Attorney KC Garner

State and Federal swearing in ceremonies
Salt Lake City, February 2012

And by 2pm he was making money...

Yep, KC is now a gainfully employed attorney. So if you need a bankruptcy lawyer, give him a call ;)

My co-worker asked me how long we've been on this journey. KC started studying for the LSAT in 2007. It has been an amazing experience to be by his side during this process. There have been some challenges, but overall it has been a positive experience. KC has matured so much and is going to be an amazing attorney. I am so proud of him today. I love you, Kase. Thank you for showing us all how to go get your dreams.

Past and Present

Sitting here at my desk right now, I feel so far from Massachusetts. It's amazing how you can have this whole life and then all of a sudden you are no longer around people that you became friends with, restaurants you used to go to, and all the small things that became the norm of life are now gone. And what's weirder is that it keeps moving on without you.

My hairstylist and friend from back east is getting married tomorrow. With her originally being from Utah, they held their reception tonight in town. Her sister was in KC's law school. In fact, she was on his moot court team; who we traveled to St. Louis with for their competition. We called her KC's law-school wife. I was okay with that...if there is anyone I'd want him hanging around, it's her. She is amazing. So our friend, KC's law-school wife, her husband, and two kids were all at the reception (all of which we love and will call them friends for life).

KC, Laura, Imran, and Dean Childs (The Moot Court Team)

Me and Laura in St. Louis

KC and Bryce (Laura's husband) at the Basketball Hall of Fame Induction

Laura and KC at graduation.

For a couple hours this evening, we stepped out of Utah and back into Mass. We shared stories about their classmates, the damage left from the tornado, caught up on news around town, and reminisced. I felt like I should have walked out the door and drove back to our beautiful old apartment in downtown Springfield. All night I had images of various streets, buildings, houses, etc as vivid as if I had been visiting them at that very moment.

People ask me all the time if I like being back in Utah. I love it. I love being around my family and Utah friends. I love having a running partner all the time. I love feeling more secure in my job. It's nice to have somewhere to go for the holidays and to not miss birthdays or other events. It's nice having our support system so close by and we love being there for them, too.

But I miss my life in Mass, greatly. I wish I wouldn't have complained so much about it at the time. It was very lonely at times. But overall, it was a great experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I hope to never grow far from that life and hope to keep in touch with the people that made that experience great.


I <3 MA,


-V