Part VI Since Graduation...

One of the best decisions I have made these past 7 years was going to Hair School. By doing so I ended up gaining a new family that I love so much! I'm not talking about some precious "hair school girls" family. I'm talking about my friend, Cara, from hair school and her family. We quickly became friends when we first started school, and then she became determined to make me officially a member of her family somehow. She set me up with her brother-in-laws, close family friends, and then some of her own step-brothers and brothers. After the first few failed setups, I was hesitant to accept another try. However, on one of our lunch breaks I happened to go with Cara to her mother's house. We were standing in the kitchen when suddenly a young man in nothing but a towel walked, then started to jog once he saw me, on past. Cara then informed me that the unclothed hottie was her brother, Patrick. He was in town from Arizona for family reasons. She had mentioned him before this incident and even had expressed that she wished I would like her brother, Patrick. Being able to put a face to a name helped and I thought, "wish granted." :) I didn't thin much of it because he was fixing to go back to Arizona and I figured nothing would come of anything, plus like I ever thought he would be interested in return- that never happens, right?!

Shortly after, Cara and I had to go back to school, but as we were heading out Patrick came out (with a Root Beer float in his hand...love the details I remember? Jeez I'm lame!) He asked if he could come get a haircut before he left. So he came along with us back to school where Cara cut his hair. Cara had me stay with her and keep them company as she was cutting. After he left, Cara asked if she could give him my phone number and email address. I agreed and she said, "Good, cause I already did." I'm telling you, Cara is one determined gal. She did say he was the one that asked for it, but you never know (but later Patrick did say that asking for a haircut was just an excuse to talk to me, so I'd like to think so). Anyway, more of that story is to come, for now let me go back to Cara and Patrick's family.

I did everything with Cara, and she happened to be living in her mother's basement at the time (which meant she was upstairs a lot too-which means I was at her mom's a lot). I got to know her family really well, including her mom, siblings, and in-laws. Cara's mom, Clyda (aka Nana), became my mother away from home. I look up to her so much and can't even begin to express the admiration and love I have for that woman. I will always see her as my "other" mom. I equally love the rest of their large family (there are over 14 siblings combined...you better believe it was hard learning all of the names and who belongs to who! It was so worth it though). I have become so close to so many of them, and truly consider them my own brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and family. Here are some pictures of my other family (Hendrix and Thurman clan, aka- The "Thurmix" family). The first two collages are of the siblings, then there is a collage for the nephews and for the nieces.