letter to jeff - post bear valley

how is the day so far? i can only imagine how tired and hurting you must feel. hopefully it will go fast and before you know it you'll be home snuggling with your girls. the past week was rough, but it still had some good moments. lea got to dip her feet into a lake for the first time. she also said the entire alphabet and can recognize multiple letters and point to things that start with them. pretty amazing. you got to go shooting outdoors. i learned how to mountain climb. you and i hiked up to the ridge and had a few hours just to ourselves. i got to see you be so funny while playing that stupid game. you made me laugh so many times. lea learned how to put on her pants by herself. we got out for a short family hike.

i know you have a lot of great memories there, so i know it's different for you. and i'm sorry your family is the way it is sometimes. it's hard to accept. and i'm sorry i was so messed up in the beginning. i was stressed about going there knowing your aunt would be there. i know it takes armor to be with her, but i don't want to be like her. BUT, we were laughing on the way home (some of it at least) and that's what important. helping each other gain perspective. we are home. we are free of all that crap once we walk out their door. what a gift. we don't have to live like them. we have our own life. we are not perfect. but we love each other and have fun together.

i love you so much and am so proud of the husband, father, and man that you are.

xo,
me