It's always hard to say goodbye.

February 14, 2012

On a day spent by most people across the world, celebrating their love with gifts of roses, chocolates, and other gifts that fade away, we were saying "goodbye" to a very important and loved man in our lives. It saddens me to say, that this year's Valentine's Day, instead of the romantic emotions that are typically taking the day captive, I had the pre-mature privilege of saying goodbye to Mr. Scott Bowen.

I first met Scobow back in 1999, almost immediately after he had moved his family from the Chicago area, to Lamar. His middle daughter, Rachel, became my instantanous best friend on the first day of freshman year at Lamar High. We shared three classes together that semester, and after discovering how much we had in common, we were inseparable. We shared similar values, faiths, and our awesome dads worked together at Neoplan. After countless weekends of slumber-party marathons shared between the Bowen and the Cook homes, I quickly became very close with the Bowen family. Times spent with the Bowen's at their home, at the family ranch, and countless youth-group activities and trips to Denver, were the days that I lived for.  Scott and Melody were almost second parents to me, caring for me in times like after I had my wisdom teeth removed! Years later in high school, the inevitable happened when I started dating Rachel's older, and cute brother, Nate :) Although our dating days didn't last very long, Nate and I stayed in very close contact all throughout college and the years after, when I was moving all across Colorado and Nate was off to bigger and better things in Washington DC. Of course Rachel and I stayed in touch, but surpsingly it was Steph, the youngest sister of the Bowen family, who's relationship with me in most recent years, is what has strengthened the bond between myself and the Bowen's.  She was always the little sister growing up, so I never really knew her all that well before I moved off to college and the Bowen's moved off to New York. But in recent years, I've had the privilege of becoming a close friend and confidant to Steph, which grew stronger each day as she kept me current on the issues regarding their dad throughout his illness.

Of course, it never was a question to me, just how much all the Bowen's meant to me, and that our friendship would always be in tact. I care for each and every one of them in such different ways, and they all have such a very special place in my heart. These are the people that I've known that I will always be friends with for the rest of my life, even despite our georaphical distances. Although I knew how much they all meant to me, I honestly had no idea that throughout all the years that had passed since I had first met Scott and Melody, and the years since I had last seen them, that I had remained in their thoughts as much as I had. It was such an honor and a delight to hear in recent months as Steph told me stories, just how much her dad liked me! I truly had no idea! I always just figured I was just this girl that was friends with his kids. But he truly loved me, and held me in the highest regard. And that means more to me than anyone will ever know.

It is sad that it is often tragic events that bring people even closer together. When I heard of Scott's passing last week, there was absolutely no question in my mind that I would be there for his family, my dear friends, as they grieved and laid his body to rest. I only wish that I had had the opportunity to properly say goodbye to the man that blessed me with the best friends of a lifetime.

Scott, you will be greatly missed. But your legacy lives on through Nate, Rachel, and Steph. I know that you are in a better place where there is no suffering. I take great comfort in knowing that we will all be reunited again in heaven, one day. We love and miss you. Please say hi to my mom for me :)

The Bowen Ranch, Eads, CO  2/14/12