Last week, two of my closest childhood friends returned from their missions.

---

It was so exciting to see them after two years. They asked me what new things had happened. My mind went blank as I tried to remember what I had been doing with my life for the past 24 months. Oh yeah. Went to college. Got married. Had a kid. Graduated with my associates degree.

Just kidding, that last one still hasn’t happened. 🙂

Reunited with the family:

Before all that excitement, Melanie and I had quite a bit of our own excitement. We were the only ladies present that weren’t blood related. (Although the mother of the family was my escort during my wedding ceremony in the temple. So we’re practically related.)

Also Melanie, you are gorgeous for reals.
Our high school friend joined in our pictures.

Beautiful.

Thank you Chris for being a true friend and participating in my blurry selfie.

Melanie and I made a cake for each of them. Ben returned from Canada, and Chris from Australia. Before you judge my obviously-not-Australia-flag cake, I did try to be creative and combine the southern cross on top of the Union Jack. Those random spots are not mold, but are actually powdered sugar lumps. Which somehow melted away when the cake box was opened. 

I’m no Betty Crocker, but they did turn out all right 🙂

I just really like how angelic Melanie looks here.

Such vibrancy!

The French Flag: Because Melanie and I are accidentally not good at being Americans.

Welcome home Ben! Welcome home Chris!