a new chapter

I have a "little' cousin, Bo -- me & Bo have always been kinda close.

They lived right behind us growing up & we played ogether a lot.

I'm several years a wee bit older than he is, so he was always like a little brother.

Bo graduated high school this past May (with honors -- soooo proud!)

and it was definitely a very emotional day for me.

I'm pretty sure I cried as much as his parents/grandparents.

 

Back at the beginning of the summer, before graduation,

he started talking to us about joining the Air Force.

(For those of you who don't know -- my husband is active duty AF)

Eventually he said he wanted to join.
Wanted to serve his country, waanted to have a stable job,

and wanted to make something of himself --

something that's hard to do in our tiny one-horse town.

Needless to say, I was all over it. I said it was the best thing he could ever do.

And in reality I know it is.

 

 

A couple of weekends ago, we went to his going away party.

AKA -- "Hair Shaving Ceremony"

We teased him endlessly because he had gorgeous dark hair

that he styled all Justin Bieber-ish and treated like his child!

The picture above is Mike (and June & Bo's dad!) taking his turn at shaving "the child."

I got some hilarious video footage.

I'm pretty sure he would kill me if I posted it.

He better be glad I couldn't get iti to upload!

 

After the shave!

 

Last night and today were definitely bittersweet in our family.

Bo left for basic training.

Even just typing that makes me tear up.

I think I'm so emotional party because I KNOW the pain of being apart from your family.

We have a super close family and it is hard to realize he's grown.

I know he'll never live here again and I may never, either...

and I know it's the best decision for him...

but I still miss him loads.

 

Bo, I am so PROUD of you!

I couldn't get it out last night without snot bubbling on your shoulder,

but I'm very proud of you.

You're going to excel in your career & you'll be an officer in no time flat.

I refuse to say "goodbye" because in the AIr Force we say "see you later!"

Now not only are you a cousin and friend...beloved to my girls...

but you are a brother-in-arms to my husband.

A wingman.

That's an honor far above anythign else.

Love you kid & can't wait to see you in January at graduation!

 

 

Of we go, into the wild blue yonder...