My mama told me that when someone touches your life, you should always write down the memories and feelings, because the feelings never go away,they just simply get pushed to the side by events in our lives. Let me tell ya about someone who's touched my life tremendously. I met him in October, DAYS before my 18th birthday when him and his friends pulled up to me and my friends while ordering in the drive thru at you guessed it... Filibertos. I didn't really get to know him until December, but that doesnt mean he taught me any less than he should have.  Looking back at my senior year, i couldn't picture it without this fella. Memories with him are countless and he truely became a great comfort to me and an answer to my prayers without him even realizing. My brothers are honestly my life, and since my dad isn't the greatest influence on them and in our lives much, i kept praying someone would come into their lives to teach them how they need to prepare for a mission. At the same time, this guy was preparing for his mission, and couldnt have been a better examplar tthem through his courage, strength, independence, faith, and love for others.


One way he personally helped me was showing me that i deserve more than some rotten scum bag. I've always struggled trusting guys, ever since my dad. I figured all guys were the same. They'll suck you in, get you to trust them and love them, then walk away. He was different. I never struggled trusting him, which was weird.. He was someone i knew i could rely on, and someone i knew was sincere in all things he did in his life. Heavenly Father knew just what i needed in my life at the time we crossed paths. He knew i needed someone to prepare me for my future companion. He knew i needed someone to teach me that i can trust. Most of all, he knew i needed someone to raise the bar for whoever i marry, and that i shouldnt settle for anyone less than what i saw in who the Lord sent to teach me.


I think my favorite quality about him is his sweet ability to love, and have people love him back. His love is purely a Christlike love and nothing less. I remember Valentines Day, we went out to dinner, and he said something to me that'll never leave my heart... "Whenever i'm having a hard day, i like to think of Dallan, or just go sit with him. He has the toughest trial, but he's so happy and content with little things and loves life." I basically wanted to fall in love right then and there, cause if you know me, you know Dallan Jacob  has my whole heart and for anyone to appreciate Dallan as much as i do... well lets just say it brings me to tears.


Another thing he has taught me is that i need to love the people i serve, no matter how rude, ungrateful, gross, weird, different, or selfish someone is ESPECIALLY on the days where the last thing i want to do is serve someone else. Recently, I could always tell the days when he had been out serving. He was just genuinely happier. Simple as that.


Last night was bitter sweet saying bye to him. He'll always be a great friend to me, and someone i admire. I can't even imagine the growth he's going to have as he goes and serves the Lord's people on his mission and i dont doubt he already loves the people there. I am SO grateful to have had a friend like him in my life, and feel SO blessed to see the reasons why he was placed in my life, at this very time.


I think the most important lesson he's helped me learn is to be grateful. Grateful for trials, grateful for friendships, grateful for family, and most important, grateful for opportunities to grow from the people in our paths and be blessed.

“A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.” -Arthur Ward