The Best Post-Christmas Activity

By FAR the best thing we did after Christmas was go through my parents' basement to collect all our random boxes that we didn't want to haul from house to house. In them we found keepsakes, yearbooks, a lot of useless junk we used to treasure and one very dingy shoebox overflowing with letters. This box was from my college years in Idaho and most of the letters were written from my family and missionary friends (including Juan.) As I've been reading each one, I've been transported back a decade to when little ol' freshman Stacia had worries of different kinds and a lot of unnecessary drama. It's hilarious to imagine what I wrote my family to provoke such, um, interesting replies. Reading these letters has also given me a glimpse into the lives of each person at that time, and although I can see a huge difference in maturation, each person still has the same "quirks" they had back then. It really makes me laugh.

For example, in a letter from Chad to me, it reads:

"Dear Stacia, I just talked to Colton He asked what I wanted for Cristmas. Harper was teasing Mom just barly. Today was State Confrens. I went camping Friday. I saw a bull elk." (sic)

An excerpt from a letter from Sierra: (picture really cutsie handwriting, as that was "her thing")

"On friday I got to watch Monster's Inc. during school. Lucky me! Love, Sierra

p.s. do you like my new "E"s and "a"s?

p.p.s. I love you (followed by a drawing of an eye, a heart, and a smiley face)

p.p.p.s. I name all the people I draw.

p.p.p.p.s lots of p.s's huh?"

From a letter from Tristan:

"Today was Juan's farewell. His parents spoke and his sisters did a musical number. He also had time to say a few words and bear his testimony. He is a great young man. I sound so grownup when I say that, but it is so true."

Harper, classic Harper:

"Today is Fast Sunday and Mom is making us write you letters before we can eat dinner. I'm starving!"

The parents' letters were mostly filled with advice to their college girl and the rest of the family's schedule for the week. While nothing is really immature in their letters, I will say that I've decided we were a pretty RANDOM family. :) Being random was definitely something that we all found pretty humorous back then. I can't believe I saved all those letters, but I'm sure glad I did.

Last night Juan and I stayed up pretty late laughing at the comments in his high school yearbook. Some things people wrote are totally quotable:

"I hope to see your name on the doctors lists when I look one up!"

"Seriously, if I ever get into an accident, you would be the one I would want to put me into the ambulance."

"You are the freakin' man. I am glad I got to be good friends with you this year. We need to chill this summer and make c.d's at Brady's house. Call me a ton this summer and we'll cruise around."

"You are a definite hottie! FOR REAL! No, really, but you are totally awesome!"

"(in cute, girlie handwriting) Someday when we are both brain surgeons we should work [on] each other. That'd be cool. We are best friends. Don't forget. (heart)"

My, oh my. Jackpot of laughs.