Remembering Frankie this Memorial Day

This is our second Memorial Day since our dear friend, Frankie, was killed in Afghanistan. I've been thinking about him a lot lately. Thinking about his life, his love, his sacrifice.


The first time I met Frankie and his wife, Brooke, I remember thinking that he was a bit goofy (in a good way). He was fun and funny, but there was something else that just made him easy to like, too. I've come to realize that "something else" is that Frankie was genuine. Everything about Frankie was genuine; he didn't pretend, he was always sincere, always real. He loved his friends and family, and especially his wife. 


We spent many, many hours with Frankie and Brooke. They would come over to our house for dinner and we would stay up late playing games. We always had a great time together. I think of the short span of time that we got to spend together and I am so thankful. I'm thankful that we were given the chance to be called his friends. I'm thankful that I got to know him and Brooke as well as we did. And looking back, the only regret I have is that we didn't take more photos together. We spent all those hours together and just never thought to take pictures. After all, we weren't doing anything spectacular... just living life and sharing a journey... but how I wish we had more photos together.  


Here are a few photos that we did manage to take:

Game night fun...

Jake got to hike the Haiku Stairs in Hawaii with Frankie and Brooke... here are some photos of the fun along the way...

One of my favorite photos: Frankie and Brooke, together forever.

Frankie died a hero in Afghanistan, sacrificing his life so that others may live. Sacrificing his life not only for those involved in the actual incident, but sacrificing his life for all Americans - for our freedoms and our country. I miss him. Alot. And this Memorial Day, I will pause and remember, not only Frankie but all our men and women in uniform who have made the ultimate sacrifice. God Bless them all.