Teri Sue...
My Aunt Teri was diagnosed with liver failure in April of
2012; her prognosis was not good, but everyone was optimistic and knew Teri Sue
was a fighter. In June of 2012, Father's Day to be exact, Teri was admitted
into the Intensive Care Unit at Decatur Memorial Hospital and never returned
home. She was transferred to Northwestern Hospital, where the care she received
was nothing short of amazing. Everyone from the head transplant doctor to the
janitor were compassionate and all around amazing people. We will forever be
grateful. Teri died over and over again in the liver transplant unit; only God
can explain how she came back to us each and every time. Our 2012 summer was
spent with weekend and sometimes weekday trips to Northwestern. On September
10, 2012, my Grandpa Hogan's 10th Anniversary of his death, we got a call at
8:00 in the morning that Teri was going to receive a liver. Our prayers had
been answered and we immediately drove to Chicago. Her surgery was long and we
weren't unsure if she was strong enough to make it through or even if her body
would accept her new liver. 4 hours into surgery the most amazing, patient, and
kind doctor told us Teri had made it through the hard part and was going to be
ok. She made it out of surgery and it appeared things were looking on the up
and up. However, the next coming weeks were anything but on the up and up. Her
body had been through an unbelievable amount of stress and trauma, it was just
too much. Her body starting to reject the liver and her organs began shutting
down. September 23rd, 2012, my birthday, was the last time I saw my Teri Sue
and on October 1, 2012, heaven welcomed home their angel.
Tom....
My Uncle Tom watched his one true love suffer for 7 months.
He was there every single day for 7 months holding her and hand and showing us
all the meaning of true love and the strength of a husband and loving father.
Tom and Teri had just built a one of a kind beautiful dream home that Teri
never got to enjoy. After Teri's passing, Tom was never the same. And in
January of 2013, my Uncle Tom passed away from respiratory complications. He
left this life to be with his one true love in the next....
The last couple months have been hard, almost unbearably
hard. My faith has never been tested more than the last 7 months. Tom and Teri
were by far two of the most faith filled people I have ever known. I miss them
each and every day but know they are happily together in God's eternal kingdom.
I miss and love you both very much.
KEITH......
Okay, so after you wipe your tears =) time for happier
thoughts. AKA, the love of my life, Keith Raymond Evans.... I know, right?!
Keith and I met one completely random night out in
Springfield through a mutual friend of ours, Katie.... OH HAAAYYY!
We met on December 14th, 2012 and have been inseparable ever
since. Keith was getting ready to pack up and move to Arizona for his golf
career with no interest in a relationship- at all. I was just going through the
motions of life with everything that had happened over the last several months,
had a bad relationship or two and 100% not interested in a relationship at all.
Jen, or as many have come to call my alter ego when over served, Jenny was out
and about that night. The night started out as a girl’s night.... the usual,
wine, gossip, swearing off men, relationships all together, Whitney Houston
soundtrack, and dancing shoes on.
We left Katie's and went to a local bar, The
Office. Keith walked in and that was all it took.... love at first sight, and I
mean love at first sight....He is the greatest thing I have in my life and I
thank God every day for him. He makes me smile in a way I never knew I could.
He is my everything....
