*CRY*

I had to tell Emily Grace tonight that her best friend in the whole wide world, whom she's known since she was only 15 months old, is moving to Florida as soon as the end of June. She immediately asked me if that was further than Pittsburgh, and I said that it was. It was THEN that the poor little thing BURST INTO TEARS because she knows how far Pittsburgh is (Dan's extended family lives there) and how it's hard for us to get there very often because of how expensive airfare is. Knowing Florida is even further away broke her little heart because she knew that meant she wasn't going to see Rachel very often. She doesn't remember NOT knowing Rachel!! I spent a good half hour with her SOBBING in my arms trying to calm her down and hyping up that it's a great move for Rachel's family because they get to move back to where Rachel's daddy has family, and that Rachel's daddy gets to have a better job, etc. All the while my heart is hurting for her pain. The real kicker is that Rachel is taking her mother with her when she moves, and her mother is MY dearest friend, so I feel Emily's pain just as strongly. All I can say is THANK GOODNESS FOR LONG DISTANCE PHONE PLANS, EMAILS, and YAHOO INSTANT MESSANGER, as I'm sure all three will be getting plenty of use. Those of you in Florida, keep an eye out for Kerry, Carole, and Rachel, and give them a warm welcome and take care of them for us... They're a fantastic family and we're going to miss them lots and lots (*wiping tears from my eyes*). Carole's under strict orders to purchase a house with a guest bedroom large enough for five people to come visit every few years or so...LOL!! Dan's always joking he wants to go winter in either Florida or Arizona. Well, now we can vacation during the winter in Florida more realistically (this is me trying to be more optimistic).

Carole, you know how much you'll be missed, but I know this is the right move for your family and I wish you alllllll the best.