To the friends that turned into family-- in loving memory of Michele

Welcome to paradise. Where the sun kisses your face, the water splashes your toes, and your good friends are right by your side. 

Once in a lifetime you are lucky enough to meet someone who is so much more than just a friend. In my case she is like my sister. She is my best friend, Whitney. She knows everything about me and there isn't too much I don't know about her. She is part of an amazing family. They are all so sweet and big hearted. This year I was lucky enough to become part of their family for the week they live in paradise. 

Her parents, Renata and Randy, are one of those couples that you hope to be like one day.

Whitney and her brother, Brock are two people who can make you laugh uncontrollably. If you walk into a room with them in a bad mood, you are guaranteed to walk out with a smile on your face and a belly ache from laughing so hard. 

Vacation to them is all about spending time with good friends and family. Even when there aren't as many people in their group- there are still a lot of people. For instance, this year there was only about 30 people (a considerably small group compared to the years past.) 

Now I'd like to introduce you to Matt, Eli, and Ian (Whitney's uncle and cousins). Matt and the boys are three strong souls. This past December they lost Michele to pancreatic cancer. Not only was she a mother and a wife- she was also a Daughter. a Sister. an Aunt. a Friend. 

Her loss brought great pain to this whole group. But she will never be forgotten by any of them.

 Sometimes, you just know she is there- looking over her boys, reminding her friends and family that she is still around. 

Thank you Randy, Renatta, Brock, and Whitney for taking me with you. And thanks also to the rest of the group for helping make me feel so welcome on this big extended family vacation.

-Chelsie