The Loredo Family's Last Day in Texas

So, it arrived. The day we never thought would come actually arrived. It was a hard day for all of us! We said good-bye to the Loredo family...some of our very favorite people and best friends. We've known they were moving to Ohio since December, but we honestly never thought it would actually happen. :) Haha. That's denial for you. Lainey and I kept "not talking about it" for months because we would both start crying...and when the day finally arrived, we both let those flood gates down! Lainey and Ainsley have been best friends since they were babies...they connected immediately and have basically been inseparable ever since. I mean, physically, yes, they could separate, but not emotionally. Each one holds the other very close to their heart and soul. Very close. Like sisters. They fought like sisters, too. Yet they loved one another so fiercely.

Lainey's tears after school. She was a disaster. Ainsley held it together the whole time, saying, "It's not good-bye forever." Voice of reason from that one. She's has an old, wise soul. Lainey has a very live-in-the-moment, emotional soul. :) Makes me super excited for those teenage years.

These four. Walker has known Ainsley and Gage since birth. He knew the names "Ainsley and Gage" early on; they have always been a part of his life in some way or another. 

See? Ainsley is tough!

Lainey is not!

And, there's Kelley. Their mom. And one of my best friends. We've raised these kids together...we've been through it all together. She has always been close to my heart and soul; someone I spoke to almost daily for the last eight years. (And by "spoke to" I mean called or texted or emailed.) Eight years of solid, true friendship. Anyway, my heart is a bit sad. I will miss my friend. 

This is us after they left. And I had to get Lainey ready for dance and recital pictures! She was so sad!  I think the hardest part for Lainey is knowing that Ainsley won't be there at school and won't be there at recess and won't be there at lunch. I truly think she'll go through a bit of a grieving process, but I also know that it will get better! It gets easier. It won't disappear, but it'll get better. I think Lainey was upset by my tears, too. Part of growing up! This stuff happens! :( 

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"[Moving apart] doesn't change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled." -Ally Condie, Matched