Heather and I were going to be in Jamie's wedding in October 2005.  Heather, Nana, Alex and Michael came to visit me in Charlotte in the spring of 2005.  Heather walked in, sat down on my couch and said "Well, I'm pregnant".  Nana was sitting next to her.  Then I said, "Well, I think I am too!"  Nana just fell back on the couch!!  Heather lit up and was so excited that we could possibly be pregnant together!  Sure enough, I was:)  Evan and Ryan were due 2 days apart...December 27th & 29th.  Here is a photo of my sisters and mom at my baby shower in September 2005:)

Entering into such a close-knit family can be very intimidating.  I remember meeting Heather for the first time and all I could think was "Wow - She really has it all together!" She made things very comfortable for me and made sure that I was included in everything.   Justin and I were "young love" and I remember looking up to Heather as something that I wanted to become.  Her meals were amazing, her house was always clean, and she was constantly inviting people into her home or taking them warm dishes to warm their hearts. 

As I sit here with two little ones, I look back on days with Heather.  I'm still fasciniated with how she always had her hair done, a meal on the table, and her boys were always dressed and clean.  She was super woman.  Everything that I do with my girls I think about what she would have done.  I truely admire her and miss her always!

I was only 14 years old and was about to become an aunt for the first time!  Heather Rae was born in Salinas, California because her father (my brother) was serving in the Army at Fort Ord.  She was named after the street they lived on (Heather Circle)!!   I couldn't wait until we could fly out to finally meet her a few months after she was born.  Patti and Jim were waiting at the airport for us and  Heather was wrapped in the pink blanket made by my mother (Grandma Buehler).  She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen!  She will always be special to us as she was the first grandchild in our family.  She brought such joy to all of our lives.  It wasn't long before Patti and Jim moved home and we got to enjoy Heather and all of the grandchildren that followed.  We have many wonderful memories of family gatherings and celebrating the holidays together.  And now when we gather, there is always a void without Heather.  However, we are truly blessed that she gave us a part of her in Alex, Michael, and Ryan.

My fondest memory of Heather was having her and Leanne for my flowergirls.  Then when Heather got married, she asked my daughters to be her flowergirls.  What an honor!  She made Lauren and Gina feel so special!

Thank you for the memories Heather.  We love and miss you every day!