Hope

Dear Levi,

Today I held the end of my exile in my very own two hands and read the letters black against the crisp white letterhead. For the first time in... a year... the night of July 4th may finally be able to sink in my past. I am overwhelmingly grateful. As I think about the magnitude of this day, I find myself so glad that you were there to share that moment with me. I feel like a huge, invisible weight that has been tied to my feet, dragging me down into the murky uncertain depth of the ocean, has suddenly been wrenched free - and I am light again, light enough to swim towards the surface of the waves, where faint sunlight sparkles just out of reach. I am oh, so, grateful. To you, and to God. Thankyou for not giving up on me.

It's been a long, hard year. It is coming to a close, and new challenges will await us this summer. I hope that the principles we've won during the days of school will not be lost, and we'll face the unknown with renewed enthusiasm as school ends. I'm going to be here for you, every day this summer - even when I'm away for the weddings. =) You are my best friend and I want to be the best friend I can be back.

There is so much facing us! I know soon you will write my dad, and I should write your aunt and uncle, and then Lord willing.... we'll be official. Wow. I don't feel ready! And yet, I am so ready. It's an odd sensation. New jobs, too, for both of us. New daily routines. I'll be a senior this fall! And Kendon will be here. You'll be taking hard courses. Somehow, all of this is going to be okay. I just know it. I know it will be hard, but as long as we have each other, and follow God, it's going to be okay.

The other night I was dreaming of Yakima. It was funny, because the vineyards and garden that you talk about morphed into my orchard home in the rolling hills of Visoki in my dream. Those were some of my best years, out on the village, among the apples and wild berries and wheat fields. I miss it. The city is growing old to me right now. I am looking forward to seeing Yakima. And your home. And your church. And your family and friends. I am anxiously looking forward to the day we stake our own place, our own real home.........

I love you.
With alllllllllllllllllll my heart.
Hugs&kisses

Love,
Noelle