The Bowen Family: Our Best Friends

This post was actually written on August 13th, but post-dated so that it would be a part of our history, but also so only a few would read it - as it is so personal.

There are few people that come into your lives that make your life better in every way. Or, who you feel like they know you almost better than you know yourself. Or, who you know will always be a part of your life. For us, that family is the Rasmussen family - Ammon, Kirsten, Ethan, Brynlee, Hailey, Karli & those yet to come!

We LOVED living in Columbus for 7 years and we made several friends who moved away (or who are still there), but nothing compares to the friendship that we had with the Rasmussen's. They moved in 2 years after we did. We started as acquaintances and fellow medical school families. Little did we know the bonds that would form.

Shortly after Kate was born, we started having Sunday dinners together. Pretty regularly for the rest of the time we were in Columbus (3 1/2 years), we had Sunday dinner once a month. The kids loved playing together, we loved trying new recipes, we loved playing games (Settlers of Cataan, Annie-I-Over, etc), and we loved talking. Jon & Ammon were also able to work together at Lifeline of Ohio. One of the greatest honors of Jon's life was when Ammon asked him to "hood" him at his medical school graduation.

Then, we started celebrating holidays and birthdays together. We had Easter dinner at our house (the menu always including ham and Kirsten's yummy bunny cake). We would take turns having Mother's and Father's Day together. We would eat at Hometown Buffet on the Saturdays of General Conference. We'd have a Memorial Day BBQ at our house. The 4th of July was always at the Rasmussen's house. Labor Day was spent at Alum Creek together. We'd trick-or-treat together on Swansea. We'd have a Thanksgiving Day feast at our house and when we were both in town, we'd celebrate Christmas together at the Rasmussen's. For each person's birthday, we'd also have dinner together - so an additional 13 dinners. The Bowen's could seriously never get enough of the Rasmussen's.

Then, we started swapping babysitting. About once a month, Jon and I would go out on a date while Ammon & Kirsten (mostly Kirsten) would watch our kids and then we would watch their kids while they went out on a date. We also took classes together - Mommy & Me, Music and Movement, home preschool, Covenant Preschool, gymnastics & Fun with Jodi. The kids played sports together - soccer, teeball, baseball and basketball. Kirsten & I quilted, scrapbooked, made cards & prepared calendars together. We just did it all - from apple picking and fishing, to eating icecream at Graeter's, to playing at the mall.

And then, we even travelled together!!! We went down to the Children's Museum in Indianapolis a few times and then we went to Hershey, PA & Washington DC together in March of this year. We all had such a great time!! The kids always got along and we just loved every chance & minute we had to be together.

As you can see, our lives were so intertwined and they quickly became our family! We love them as family and can't wait until we live close again!!! Leaving Columbus was hard, but leaving the Rasmussen's was excruciating!!! Our hearts felt heavy and our emotions still run very close to the surface. We think about them all the time and thank Heavenly Father each day for them.

Here are some of the greatest, funnest memories we have of them:

Ammon

Ammon loves life! Even though he works terrible, long hours, he was always willing and ready to have a good time. He loves to laugh and play games (even though he hates to lose!!). He's definitely the game organizer, life of the party, and fun-loving guy. He's such a great example of being a worthy priesthood holder, great husband and incredible dad.

Ethan

Ethan is as great as little boys get! He is always so sweet and cares so much about people around him. Athletics come easy for him and he always gives it his all. He is kind and handsome and has a great laugh. Emily & Lindsey (and Jack too), would always argue about who got to sit next to Ethan at dinner. He's a great kid to be around and we miss his fun personality.

Brynlee

Brynlee has the face of an angel. This little girl also has a great laugh and it so much fun to be around. She is a good little mother and we'll always remember how sweet she was with Hannah. Brynlee is beautiful and we are still hoping that someday she'll be our daughter-in-law!! We'll always remember the little purses she'd carry around (filled with her little treasures) and how willing she always was to help.

Hailey

You have not seen cute, until you have seen Hailey!! I miss her little voice saying "Jeannette?" when she wanted a drink or a snack and how she always had a smile (with darling dimples) to go with it. Hailey was such a great friend to Kate and we'll always remember this little red-head and her blond side kick. Whether it was digging in the sand, or getting lost at the Children's Museum, they were always together). Hailey is so sweet and gorgeous!

Karli

This little rascal is easy to love! It was so much fun to see how much Karli grew and how smart she is. She absolutely loved Hannah and would get worried if her binkie fell out or if she was crying. She loved helping take care of her. I laugh when I think of her never leaving her rubberbands in her hair. Karli has such a great smile and is so cute!

Kirsten

I have never had a friend like Kirsten! She is truly the best friend that I've ever had and I am so grateful for that. We each have a Willow Tree figurine called "Unique Harmony" and that describes our friendship perfectly! Kirsten is someone that from the moment I met her, I admired her. She is beautiful, fun, smart, is an incredible wife and mother and is always serving others. I've never had a friend who did so much and gave so much to me. She was always there to help with my kids and love them like her own. She was always there with fun ideas, yummy recipes, family outings to go on and listening ears when I needed to talk. She has a strength within her that I can only hope to have some day. Every time I talk with her, I feel happier and uplifted and ready to face another day.

Saying goodbye and leaving her was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. My heart still aches (and I've come to the conclusion that it just will until we're living close again). I miss her more than I ever imagined I would and know that she'll never be replaced. Sure, I'll have other friends, but no one like her. How grateful I am every day for our unique harmony!

So, we take comfort in the fact, that hopefully the next 4 years will be the only time that we'll be apart again. We have trips already starting to be planned (a Disney Cruise!!!) and memories ahead that we look forward to making.

Thank you Rasmussen family for being so good to us! We love you, miss you, think about you often and pray for the Lord's choicest blessings to always be with you!!