Love Letters Part Two

Continuing with love letters this week of Valentine's Day, I'll continue with some notes from high school.

My Freshman Year, I came down with mono and my Spanish teacher had the class sign a get well card for me. Wasn't that nice?! (As a sidenote, I wound up teaching her son private swim lessons four years later.)

"Anna, We just wanted to let you know that we're thinking about you and we're missing you. Can't wait to see you! -Senora Cortes"
"Hope you feel better. -Lucas"
"Hurry up and get better butt-head. -Shane"
"Hope you feel alright. -Joe"
"Get well soon! - Mario"
"Hope you feel better. We miss you in Biology and Spanish. -Olivia"
"Hope you get better soon! -Stephanie"
"Hope you feel better soon!!! -Erin"
"Get well soon. Class is too quiet without you. -Jennifer"
"Anna, Hieee! It's me, the class clown who sits in the very back of your row! I hope you feel better! Love, Me!"
"Anna, I'm so sorry to hear that you are sick. I told your brother to tell you to get better but I don't think he did! Dumb boy! Hope to see you soon. Love Always, Kelli"
"Anna, We've been missin' ya round here! Don't let being sick get you down because you have wonderful us to look forward to! Get well...fast! Love, Becky"
"Anna, It's not the same in class without you. Get back soon. Hope you feel better! Love ya! Zack"
"Hope you feel better. Ryan"
"Hey Anna Banana, I heard you were sick of school and that's why you've been gone so long. No, I'm just joking. Hope you get better soon. I miss you! I also miss that big kool-aid smile you always give everyone. Like I said, hope to see you in class soon. Love always, Misty"

Now jump to my Junior Year, Christmas...

The card says, "Merry Christmas to a friend who's talented, witty, charming, and sexy...Sometimes I can't tell us apart."

Scott wrote, "Anna, So far, this year has been fun and exciting. But it should be fun since it's my last year in high school. I'm glad that you and I were able to get along and become good friends this year, unlike your freshman experience when we couldn't find anything in common. I had a great time with swimming and I'm going to miss it, but I wish you good luck next year. Well, I got you a little gift for Christmas just to let you know I think you're a great person, not to mention cute of course. I hope you have a great Christmas." (Yes, we were just friends...nothing more!)

Fast forward to the end of my Senior Year of high school...

I came across two cards from two different teachers.

"Anna, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy working with you every day. I appreciate and enjoy the stories that you share with me. I am so glad that I have been given the opportunity to get to know you so well this year, more than in years past. You are so funny! You make me laugh. Thank you for sharing your stories and yourself with me. You make my day a little brighter every day. You are my buddy. Love, Mrs. Waller"

She was a teacher I had for four years, one year for math and four for student council. One year at a convention, my peers shared that they could see me being her when I grew up. But even then, I knew I wanted to teach young children.

The next note is from a teacher that I knew, but I never actually had a class with him. He was the Honor Society Sponsor as well. He gave me this card after a drive-by shooting took the lives of two of our students and I helped organize a car wash that became so much more to raise money for their families. Random people showed up to help wash cars and people from all over the city drove to our high school to leave donations. I remember my pastor came with members from our youth group to help and the manager from the city pool that I worked at showed up. He told me later that his car never actually got washed, but he left money anyway. It was such an incredibly busy day, but gave so much to two families that were grieving.

"Anna, Well...you never cease to amaze me. Imagine - for years, the question, "Were you at the car wash?" will mean something to the Apollo Community. Thanks for just being you - that's plenty- Tally"

Another memory I have of this teacher, is that he is the one that told me about a naval base being in Sicily before I went to study abroad in Italy. The day I met Jesse, I was reminded of Mr. Tally because Jesse was stationed at that base!