The day arrived. Judy made an awesome breakfast.
Zach said by to his cousin Ellen.
Zach spent a good chunk of the morning talking with Gabe, Shannon and his cousin Abby.
Zach and I went for a walk. I’ll remember that walk forever.
And it was time to get ready.
We loaded up the car. Notice how I have to capture every single step?
Judy took some pictures of us all.
Our intention was to go to the Provo temple grounds for final goodbyes. But leaving late, traffic, and construction caused us to be running behind and stressed Zach out. We just pulled over and hugged and said good bye. We made it quick bcs everyone was jittery. By this point Zach had been saying good byes for 72 hours so was ready!
We pulled into the MTC. They know what they are doing. Just like first day of day care, don’t linger, don’t look back. A hug, a few pictures, another hug and I sent him on his way.
A piece of my heart went with him, but he was good to go.
A missionary who is already at the MTC helped him with his bags and reassured me that he was in good hands.
He didn’t look back, which was the best way to do it.
Gabe, Shannon and I went to BYU bookstore to mail a package to him for that night (although it never got there :(() We went out for lunch (wish I thought to take a picture). After lunch we got an email from Zach – he was good and his nerves disappeared the moment he stepped into the MTC. I’m going to post all his letters and pictures on a blog I created for his mission www.zachfioretahitimission.blogspot.com
A place where I can keep it all together for him.
It was an emotional few days, but I have to say a beautiful few days. As I already mentioned (but bears mentioning again!) : You don’t often get opportunities like this to see such open expressions of love – between friends, family and siblings. Certainly a special blessing.
So grateful for our wonderful family and friends who supported him/ us and understood how important this is to him/us even if they don’t understand it themselves. Your love and support mean the world to us.
Xo
