My Bulldog

Yes, I know this is like my fifth post in the last 24 hours, but a lot has been happening, okay?!:)

I feel honored. I have a namesake now. On the 19th, Brianne Elizabeth Hawryluk was born. I'm simply choosing to ignore the fact that her mother finally decided Brianne was the right name because she exhibited some sort of stubborn characteristics that reminded her of me. I'm simply going to pretend that the one and only reason is because she's as beautiful and charming as I am.:)

Brianne's Mom is one of my best friends. I love her. I've met her husband, Andrew, only once, but can honestly say that she chose well. I don't think I could find anything bad to say about him if I tried, but nonetheless, this post is about his wife.

She's Kimberley to everyone else, but Bulldog to me. The nickname Bulldog probably implies that she's vicious or something, but I promise that the opposite is true. She's an angel. I truthfully don't know anyone nicer or more soft hearted. I made her cry only one time and to this day it's one of my biggest regrets. She's the kind of friend you treasure for your whole life.

We met one early morning in Tucson. We were both serving missions. I got to become a senior companion and trainer at the same time and she was the one who got to get my feet wet. I know, poor her, right?! But I'm thankful every day that she's the one who came. I'm a bit of a goofball (as everyone already knows) and she was convinced that she'd received a nutjob for a trainer. In reality, she did, but that didn't prevent us from becoming what we are. We were instantly friends and quickly became close. I feel privileged that we got to serve side by side. We saw a lot of miracles and had amazing experiences that couldn't be duplicated again in this life. We spent over 4 months serving together and it was a sad day when we were split up. Bulldog stood next to me at my wedding and has been there every day since. Our friendship will span far past the confines of this life and that's a comforting feeling. I couldn't ask for a better friend to go through life with. It's amazing really. She lives in Canada and I don't see her often, but it doesn't matter. Our friendship goes on and on and only gets better with time. I will love her forever.

Anyway, I feel honored that she would name her first daughter Brianne. I'm pretty sure it's Bulldog's constant goal to bring me to tears (because it's not necessarily so easily done), so she'll be happy to know she succeeded. Bulldog, she's beautiful! I'm in love already and can't wait to meet her. Thank you for having enough faith in me to use my name. (I'm extremely glad that I'm not one of those people that wreck a name for you. You all know what I mean.....there's a name you like and then you meet someone with it who makes you quickly despise it.....yeah, I'm glad I'm not one of those people for you). I only hope that I wear the name as well as she's seeming to.:)

Bulldog, I love you. Seems like I always have and I always will. So, thank you. And Brianne, welcome to the world. You have an amazing Mother.