Goodbye to a Friend

We found out the sad news that a dear friend who was largely responsible for this:

{dating}

 and this:

{eternal marriage}

passed away on Saturday.

That man was Brother Paul Kelson, known to a lot of people also as Dr. Kelson. Our bishopric announced his death at the beginning of our sacrament meeting yesterday.  It was so sad and sort of a shock to me to hear. I had literally just seen him at church 2 weeks before, and he had made a point to come say hi to me, as he always did. I grabbed Collin's arm in surprise and he had the same look on his face I probably did! It then was awkward because I couldn't help but cry pretty hard for a few minutes as the news sunk in.... all the while worrying about stopping crying because I knew I had to stand up to be recognized for a new calling in a couple of minutes! Trite, I know, but I just hope to explain some of my grief.

The very first time Collin and I hung out was at Brother Kelson's house. It was the first time he flashed me his "tooth"! (you know what I'm talking about!) Brother Kelson was a high councilman assigned to our singles ward when I first moved to Boise. Collin was the Elders Quorum president so I guess they worked together a good amount. Tha particular time we first hung out was at the "Back to School Social" Brother Kelson hosted at his home each year. He had a big pool in the backyard and a huge front yard for all the singles to mingle. I remember seeing Collin in his swimsuit thinking he was some sort of body builder, ha ha!

Brother Kelson was a wonderful mentor to Collin, way more than me. We both credit him a lot for us getting together and finally getting married. You know the story that we had a few rough patches, and even broke up for good once before we finally got engaged. Well while I was back in Idaho Falls getting over Collin during that "final" break up, you know who was over in Boise talking sense into him and being there for him through all his tumultuous emotions: Brother Kelson.

Brother Kelson, who like I said is also Dr. Kelson, the orthodontist, did a TON of orthodontic work on Collin for absolutely free. He was such a generous man. He did a lot of repair on Collin's upper teeth and even supplied him with his "tooth," which has lasted about 9 years now, for absolutely nothing. He said it was just the "family discount" but I think he did that sort of thing for a lot of people.

We went on our honeymoon to his cabin!

The scene of the crime: our honeymoon destination in Pine, ID

We were broke with Collin just starting his teaching job and me halfway through school when we got married. We didn't have the time or the money to go anywhere "fancy" for our honeymoon. Somehow Brother Kelson knew about this, and offered his multi-million dollar cabin for us to have as our "destination." It was a wonderful weekend we got to spend there, soaking in the hottub overlooking the reservoir, riding the motorcycles into town, enjoying the DVD library bigger than our house....it was so nice and all out of the generosity of the Kelsons' hearts. His wife, Diane, is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met. Of course my heart really goes out to her and their family right now.

Brother Kelson has continued to be a great influence in our lives, even after we moved out of the singles ward. He used to loan Collin's werstling team BBQ's to use for concessions free of charge. Then when we moved into our current ward almost 5 years ago, we found out we were in his stake, so we would see him pretty often at church. He and Collin continued to have some good talks and I was always happy to see him, and like I said he always made a point to say hi and make me feel just as special as ever.

We knew his health was deteriorating, even though he was just 67 when he passed away. It seems so wrong that someone so kind, giving, and wonderful would be taken from his family and the world so soon. I wish we had been able to say a goodbye, although if everyone whose lives he touched as much as ours wanted to do that, there never would have been time. He was a great example and we hope he can hear our prayers of thanks for all he has done for us.

Any of you who knew him, the funeral is this Saturday at 11:00 at our building, the Goddard stake center.