It's hard to believe that 15 years ago (where did the time go?!?), my own life changed in ways I could never begin to imagine, all thanks to State Convention. I am beyond blessed to say that I am a former Indiana FFA State Officer. When I left convention and headed home to pack up my belongings so I could move into the FFA Center for the next year, I had no idea that the other 6 people would become my brothers and sisters. We would have our ups and downs. Don't all families? ha We have experienced life together up to this point in time....college, joys, loss and sadness, weddings, babies, time and distance. When you share as much as we have over the past 15 years, it doesn't matter how long we're apart, we always seem to pick right back up where we left off. And that my friends is the essence of real, true friendship.
So here we are. 14 years ago we were anxiously awaiting our very own week-long convention to begin. We were anticipating how our legacy would be remembered in Indiana FFA history. We were looking forward to the next steps in life and having new roles within the FFA experience...something we lovingly and jokingly refer to as "the has-been club" aka The Past State Officer club (PSO).
It is a hard experience to sum up in a few words. There is a limited number of Indiana kids who can say they've lived the same year of experiences as I have...and there is a limited number of State FFA officers throughout the US with the same experience as Indiana FFA State Officers. I will forever remember the days we spent at the State Officer house at the Indiana FFA Center. A dream was realized when I was granted the opportunity to travel the state for 1 year while serving as an ambassador for a phenomenal youth organization....and I got to do it with 6 of my closest friends.
These pictures are a drop in the bucket compared to all the photos we have from the past 15 years of living our lives...so thankful!
being announced on stage as the NEW State Officer Team - June 2000
our home from June 2000-June 2001
the blue corduroy
life lessons...hahaha...no liquid detergent in the dishwasher
my extended FFA family (can't believe the changes this pic would have today)
a quick gathering at Purdue
Rajean's wedding
Karissa's wedding
a team reunion at the FFA Center
visiting Karissa in Australia
Justin's wedding
State Convention - PSO Dinner
my bridal shower with Rajean
Aww! I was one of the delegates during the convention when ya'll were elected.. so.. you are welcome! ;)
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to walk down memory lane!! We need to plan another reunion at the center...with all our broods! That should make the flag football game easy...right? :) Thanks for sharing, Erin! So fun!
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