BL10 & ES

As many of you know, today is a very important date in Plain City. Today marks one year of the passing of my classmate, and friend, Blake Li. Now, before I start I just want to clarify some things.

1. No, me and Blake were not best friends. Yes, we were friends.
2. We were closest in Jr. high but when high school started we did drift apart.
3. None of these facts make this situation easier on anyone. So going out and complaining about the way people are mourning/dealing with a situation, no matter how close they were to Blake, doesn't help anybody. Please, realize this situation was hard on everyone.

Not only did we lose Blake we also lost Ethan on February 8th, 2015. Everything about this story breaks my heart and it's something I don't really like talking about. Writing about things always makes me feel better though, so I'll write about it.

In junior high Autumn and I always hung out with Blake and Justice. We honestly were only friends with those boys. I don't think either of us had a full conversation with anyone else our entire 7th grade year. We didn't have a problem with it though, they were great. Everything that came out of their mouths was slightly offensive and absolutely hilarious. Once we got to high school we did drift apart but he'd still make comments every once in a while about the over-sized sweatshirts I wore every. single. day. I mean, I still do that. I just miss him telling me I look like a bum every time he'd pass me. It's the little things like this that I look back on and miss the most.

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory" -Dr. Suess

Now Ethan and I had a very different relationship. This little bundle of joy was constantly calling me beautiful, asking me to prom, or just trying to make me smile any way he could. He spent so much time trying to make sure that others were happy he never even considered his own mental health. My personal favorite memory of Ethan was when he asked me to prom. He was in 8th grade and I was a sophomore (How's that work??). He wrote "prom?" on a post it note he found and gave it to me along with a silly band elephant he'd found on the floor of the bus. Ethan always had a smile on his face and reached out to anyone who didn't. The world needs more people like him.

"I think the saddest people try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it's like to feel absolutely worthless and they don't want anyone else to feel like that" -Robin Williams

Sons, athletes, friends, goofballs, students. There's so many words I can use to describe these boys, but they were, and still are, so much more. Blake wasn't just a phenomenal catcher. Ethan wasn't just a class clown. I could spend hours writing pages just on these boys alone and I guarantee you still will not get how special both of these boys were. They left such an impact on me and on this community and I know for a fact that's something that'll never change.

When big things happen in this tiny town, we become a family. We support each other. Although my heart hurts along with many others I know that we've grown closer from these tragedies. It's really hard to fully grasp what exactly JAHS students and staff, the families, and the community went through this time last year unless you actually went through it. Talking about difficult things has definitely never been my forte, but now maybe some of you can see the situation through my eyes.

Blake and Ethan; we love and miss you. Fly high.

18 things I'll teach my kids about high school

Although these 3 and a half years have definitely not been the best for me, I have realized how much I've grown since the first day of freshman year. When my future children grow up and they ask me what high schools like- this is what I'll tell them.

1. The people you go into high school with probably are not going to be the people you come out with- this is a common one, I know.
2. You're going to miss football Friday nights once they're over, so try to go to as many as you can.
3. Boys are okay but they're also very bad. Guard your heart.
4. Girls are okay but they're also very bad. Guard your heart.
5. Your mom/dad could (and should) become your best friend if you'll let them in.
6. Become friends with your teachers- they know a lot more than they'll ever let on. Your teachers are there to help you grow and learn, not put you down. Respect them and what they're doing for you.
7. You're going to have your heartbroken at least once. Whether it be by a significant other, a family member, a friend, or even just an acquaintance. You're going to hurt but also never forget you have people that are here for you. You'll never be alone-as much as it feels like you are. As much as people hurt you; you're also going to hurt an innumerable amount of individuals in these 4 short years.. It's bound to happen and I'm sorry in advance.
8. If the quiet kid in the back asks you if he can borrow something from you- let him.
9. Don't lose sight of God. His plans are greater than what you want for yourself. Proverbs 3:5-6
10. To quote Lee Brice "Love Like Crazy". Don't shut your heart down no matter how badly you want too. Always stay soft, continue spreading love, and know that you're strong enough to handle anything God puts you through.
11. Sometimes being alone is a good thing.
12. Get off social media. Go out and have fun but don't be glued to your phone, you'll miss so many things.
13. You'll say that you won't miss high school and you might not. But I promise you this, you're going to miss the people. You'll miss the people who have been there for you. You'll miss the people who hurt you and made you stronger. You'll miss the teacher who lost your homework and made you cry (I won't say any names...(Doc)). You'll miss being surrounded by the same people that you've been surrounded by since kindergarten. So don't take a single moment with these people for granted because one day they're only going to be a memory.
14. Drop your pride. Something I struggle with everyday of my life. I always let my pride get in the way of what I need.  You miss your old friend that you hurt? Tell them. You struggling with a math problem and need your teachers help? Tell them. How stubborn I am has become such a problem for my friendships, relationships, and several other aspects of my life. Don't you dare make the same mistake.
15. She won't let you know it but you're going to make your mom cry. You're going to hurt her whether you notice it or not but she'll still love you unconditionally. You could go into her room at 3 a.m bawling your eyes out because a boy you liked said something mean and I can tell you from personal experience; She will wake up. She will sit with you. She will cry with you. She will hold you. She will be there for you. Never take her for granted.
16. As much as it's always said that school needs to come first; THIS IS NOT TRUE. What needs to come first is your mental health. Now, this doesn't mean you can just say that you're having anxiety about a test so you need to take it a week later. Yes, the school work is going to be hard but you do need to take some time out every once in a while to keep a safe and stable brain. Nothing is more important than your mental health; that homework packet can always wait.
17. Forget the ones who hurt you.
18. Don't forget the ones who helped you when you were hurting.