Almost 11 Years

In August of 1996, I (Scott) first met Leland Mallett who was my R.A. in Johnson Hall. We have been friends for 3985 days (I went to a website to figure that out...really). In that time we have both broken up from a serious relationship (he fixed his and I found a new one), gotten married, graduated, had 6 cars besides the ones we came to LCU with, purchased 3 houses, had 2.5 daschunds, fathered 5 babies, and moved 3 times.

I have a great deal of respect for Leland and Harmony. We have watched them forge a life for themselves in West Texas without having parents or older mentors right there with them to show them how to do things. They are hard working employees and awesome friends. They did everything we did, but they did it first. They bought a house first, they had kids first, etc. They were like mentors for us.

More than that, they are the closest friends we have had for the 5 years we have been in Big Spring. Leland and I were already close, but Lauren and Harmony have gotten so much closer. She has been a HUGE support for Lauren when she needed it. She has also been a get-away partner for Lauren when she needed to get away from Big Springness (you would have to move here to understand). Once upon a time, the four of us could go out to eat and have a nice time. Now we still go out to eat, but there is a lot more talking over kids, shushing kids, cleaning up after kids, etc. Still fun, but a lot harder. :)

Leland, Harmony, Ryland, Raylee, and Reese moved away this week. They are starting over in a new town at a new high school, at a new church, in a new life. But it doesn't matter where they move (although the fact they moved 10 minutes from Six Flags was nice), we will always be friends. May God bless you in your new adventure!