Our Farewell Party

We hosted well over one hundred people at our Farewell Party a few weeks ago in Midwood Park.  I sent out mass invitations, and we were shocked by how many people made it out to wish us well and to say goodbye for now.  These are most of the important people in our Charlotte lives, with some glaring exceptions of a few friends who could not make it.  We did not get photos of everyone at the party because I didn't think of it until well into the day.  Nevertheless, this post is a short record of some of the amazing people who grace our lives here in Charlotte. We feel deep gratitude for our time in this lovely city.  We will miss it and these fine people with all of our hearts.  And we know that new friends await us in a continent on which we have never stepped.  It's this miraculous thing about our world that keeps us moving - - the fact that where ever we go, at what ever time in our lives, we find like people with whom to bond, love, and hold forever. Humanity is imperfect, but we embrace it all, everywhere.  

You know it's a good day when you can hold your girl in one hand and your very ketchupy hot dog in the other.  

These people. . . . Damn, Lisa - - can't you just get a job in Chile?

Piedmont!  You know! (Paul,  Lou, Karen, and Sara)

The Plaza Shamrock contingent:  Wy, Alex, Anna, Guthrie, Silas, Colin, Luca, Greta, Sammy, and Joey.  

Love these ladies.  (Karen and Kristin.)

A few Legal Services folks.  Hallie, Brittney, and sweet Mark.

Wy and Sam.  Sillies!

Sweet Ninon.  This little girl is from France.  Her mom is a teacher here for two years.  Sound familiar?  She's one of Wyatt's best pals.  

Matt, Kasey, and Sweet Baby Charlie.  

Awe, look at these Colemans!  Jonathan, "baby" Jackson, Brit, and sweet baby James. 

 The ballet girls!  Daphne, Avery, and miss G.

Roya handled these little ones WELL.  She was the big sister they always wanted and the baby sitter we always wanted!

Awe Kevin and Carey.  We'll miss those smiles and crass sense of humor.  Who will be Paul's besties in Chile?  

Another Piedmont bunch - - Kristin, Karen, and Meghan. Y'all hold down the fort next year!

Sweet Niki, Vince, Daphne, and Penelope!  We fully expect to see you on the Andes slopes sometime soon!

Greta and Maddie

Sweet baby Graham.

Trouble?

Sweet pregnant ladies and their hubbies:  Charles, Peggy, Meghan, and Luis!

Kindercare contingent:  Griffin, Colin, Maddie, Greta, Emma, Henry, Wy and Sam.  Plus Lydia, too.

Sweet, good friends:  Colin and Ethan, twins.  They changed schools, and Greta hasn't seen them in awhile.   Greta nearly lost her stuff when they arrived.  She was so thrilled!

Lydia!  Our sweetest church friend.

Sam and his parents - - our neighbors and school buds. 

Babak, Mina, Cortney, and Roya.  I will be expecting a visit soon!  You cannot travel abroad three or four times a year and NOT make it see the Booseys in Chile!

Patrick, Megan, Briana, and Dot!  Wish we had more time to hang out.  Love this family!

Oh man, little brothers . . . . Emma and Henry, G and Wy.  Cutie pies. 

Madison! How will I shabby chic anything in Chile without your assistance?!  You and Carr must come!

It could not have been a better day.  We were in this park from 12:30 to 7:00 and we enjoyed every second connecting with our friends, many of whom have become our family.  Goodbye . . . for now.