Moving On

Our "Surrogate Spieth Daughter" is moving on from Olney this week. And we will sorely miss her. She has been an important part of our lives for the last 11 years. My how time flies! She entered our lives as a candidate for the RC Fair Queen the summer before her Senior year in high school. Then she had us take her Senior pictures and Mike had an instant liking, especially when she "talked" about her passion for President Regan and the Republican Party. Then we asked her to work for us and she came to work for us through the work study program at school. I had to grade her and always gave her the best grade. She tolerated coming into a business where we actually had adult "mean girls" that tried to get her out, and it did not work, the three of us were able to blow them off. Jealousy is an AWFUL emotion for sure! And very difficult for a teen to have to deal with, when there was no real reason. She continued to work for us weekends when she went to college...thank goodness and also introduced us to her great friend who also became a wonderful employee thus the "SPIETH DAUGHTERS" were born! Her birthday appropriately is on the Fourth Of July as she is a little firecracker! And since the summer of 1999 we have celebrated with her. Last year was an exception as we had to photograph the wedding of another "daughter" in Pennsylvania. [She tried to come, but found it to be difficult with an 8 month old son.]

The summer of 2001 she tried for the RC Fair Queen again and got First Runner Up this was enough ammo to try a third time and thus in 2002 she became Queen. Mind you Mike made any girl that has worked for us and tried for the crown walk many miles in their pageant shoes in our studio, so he likes to think he helped. And she took herself and her speech the "third times the charm" and competed at state and became MISS ILLINOIS COUNTY FAIR 2003. We were so proud, many people at state thought Mike was the "proud papa" just taking many pictures and you know he was, in a certain way.

At the end of her reign she was busy planning her wedding to her Knight in Shining Armor, and he is a gem. On Valentines day 2004 she became his bride in a lovely wedding at Starved Rock State Park. As their life together evolved she taught at her Alma Mater from 2003 through the first semester of the the 2009 year. They blessed their families and friends in 2007 with a wonderful son named Bo. And he is a joy!

But now their life is heading up the road on a new path. They are having twin girls in September and this week they are leaving Olney and moving to a town near where they were married. I will be selfish and say how sad I am to see them go. We have had many wonderful visits with Bo this past year and he is comfortable visitung the studio. And even though I did not see or talk with Jamie every day, I was able to drive by her home and send her my thoughts and prayers and love daily as I looked at her house knowing she most generally was tucked inside.

Moving on is a part of life and I did it back in 1972 when I came south to Mattoon and as the years passed continued south to now be in Olney. Jamie has said it is not that far away but it is, she won't be just down the road, she will be WAY UP THE ROAD. Miles between are difficult, but thru the internet and phone calls we can be in touch. I will really miss knowing she is not near, I guess she is more than a surrogate daughter.

I will miss you so very much, but I am sure you will always be a part of our life. So I won't say good bye, I will say See You Soon! And also, thanks so much for being a very important part of my life! All these memories and many others with you will be treasured forever! And I am certain there will be more.