Philipp from Germany

You know those people that have souls that just groove with your's? Yeah, that's Philipp from Germany. (Fill, if you work at Starbucks)

For those of you that don't know the funny backstory, meeting Phil wasn't any coincidence.... 

"On the boat ride I met Philip. He is from Germany, and from the second he said “Have you eaten all the cantaloupe?!” I knew we’d be friends. We spent the morning of the boat ride eating almost the entire tray of cantaloupe slices, and talking about all the cool places he has been. We spent the afternoon stealing 12 cookies and teaching me how to pronounce his last name. We’ve stayed in touch since the boat ride, and I honestly never believed I could get a best friend in 7 hours. But Phil is definitely one of the best!"

The day he sent me a picture of his plane ticket to SLC was the happiest day.  

The second I heard his fabulous accent and saw his happy smile again I knew this week would be unforgettable. So what if I only knew him for 7 hours?! This kid was awesome.

For the next month I planned a trip down South since everyone knows there is nothing to do here in the valley that would keep a German/world traveler entertained. Through Instagram messages (shoutout to my broken phone that wouldn’t let me text him) we kept in touch and created exciting plans.

We picked him up from the airport and took him to Kneaders (because even though Utah Valley is boring, we know how to do unlimited french toast the right way). Phil came on the perfect day where the mountains were totally covered in fog... So there goes the one pretty thing to see in Utah Valley :)

Phil taught me how to take selfies, clearly I'm still in training, but he has been a great teacher! 

That afternoon we went bowling and donut eating (his love for donuts sealed the deal that we were meant to be best friends). And I won’t mention who won in bowling but it wasn’t the person with an accent. ;)

I had all my friends over that night for Taco Night, and they all were really kind and open to Phil. It was a lot of fun! Some girls even took interest in this foreign boy ;) (you know who you are)

The next morning we left for St. George! Once there, the 6 kids on longboards formed the ultimate longboarding squad. I also taught Phil the proper use of the word "sick" as in "That longboarding trick is siiiick!" Lingo is different here than in Germany, I guess!

The next day we went into Zions and hiked to the top of the world! 

And we may have taken pictures like this to scare our moms. "Yolo" was our excuse.

(Don't let my smile fool you, I was absolutely terrified)

Oh look, another selfie! Wonderful. :) 

ft. random girl 

Later, when we raced to the pool, Phil made it very obvious I wasn't going to beat him in the car... Longboarding right in front of me was his "great" idea.....

That night we played UNO, and quite possibly the longest game of UNO ever played. But then we had a rematch... And during this rematch Phil had one card left. And it was the color being played. And I had about 20 cards. And he is awesome. And he gave me the victory! I never win card games. 

I like Phil.

Cliff Jumping was also pretty awesome! The water was freezing but YOLO (right mom?)! And after jumping in it was a race to the pink towel, which I regret to say Phil won. I had to settle for the orange. :)

I also became his "taxi" driver on the paddleboard. Don't ask.

Phil is a vanilla person. Can I just say how happy that makes me? I thought I was the only one. 

However, until Saturday night, he had never dipped a fry in his shake! That's what the shake is for! Well, after being very skeptical, and calling me strange many times, he finally manned up and tried it. And if you see that smile you know he liked it :) 

However, the milkshake fry wasn't a free deal. For him to try the fry in milkshake I had to try Nutella. AH! I am not a nut person, so I think I was more skeptical that he was. But we took his first trip to Walmart to buy cute little Nutella cups, which we ended up just using our fingers instead of breadsticks because it was yummier. 

And to give you the conclusion, we were both pretty happy with it :)
While we're on the food subject, Phil and I have made eating cantalope an official tradition, which is just a random fact but I think it's awesome.
Another random food fact, Phil gave his Oreo to me. If you don't know my addiction to Oreos, it exists. And giving me one of his is like the ultimate declaration of "Perfect Person" status in my eyes.

I taught Phil some piano, and we played Heart and Soul til our fingers cramped. 

I love having a piano partner :) 

The last night, we stayed up talking most of the night. I layed down on the couch and realized I didn't have my teddy bear (yes I still have to sleep with one). I figured it was down in Phil's room so I just grabbed a pillow as a replacement. But as I lay down, all the sudden a waving bear popped up! Phil did a little puppet show for me and we both quietly giggled. He handed it to me and said, "I didn't think you could sleep without this." I think that's when I realized he is hands-down the greatest person on earth. He just is.

On Sunday we took a trip downtown to a beautiful place! Good times people, good times. (PS the flowers at temple square right now are FABULOUS!)

And this is the time we were all dreading. We tried to keep positive attitudes when we arrived at the airport, but we all knew this perfect weekend was coming to an end and my best friend would have to leave on a plane and who knows when we'll see each other again... I hate goodbyes. And when he turned around and waved while walking in, I couldn't stop the tears from coming. Life isn't as funny without Phil.

(and of course there was a last selfie)

Phil gave me these "Good Mood Drops" for whenever I cry. Turns out they are so sour they just make me cry harder, but then I smile because I know he'd laugh watching me pathetically sucking on one.

This sassy, hilarious, smart, kind, german is my best friend. I honestly believe that Phil is my long lost brother. And maybe Koda (my dog) does like him better, and maybe he did steal the pink towel and longboard in front of my car, and maybe he chews the hottest freaking gum in the world, but he makes me smile and I love him for it.

#germantakesutah #chocolatemilkcows #justutahthings

Phil, du bist mein favorit. Ich vermisse dich. Danke für den Spaß

.

Hayden Michael Heninger

In 8th grade I randomly sat down with some friends I barely knew. At the other side of the table was a tiny little boy with the biggest brown eyes you ever did see! That cute little stinker was cracking jokes left and right, and kept talking about a scary show he watched called, "The Walking Dead." He told a story about some relative of his getting trampled to death by goats, and he was so short I'm pretty sure he didn't even reach my shoulder.

Later that semester I realized he was in my health class! We did some random mystery game to find out who a creepy guy was (but let's be real, we spent the whole class just messing around). I have no idea how we became best friends so fast, but we did :) I'm forever grateful for it.

One day after school and track practice he pulled me aside and played me "All About Us" by He Is We on his guitar. Whatta ladies man! I'm amazed he was big enough to hold the guitar! But it was probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, considering it is my all time favorite song. It still is to this day.

We both tried out for Student Council and made it on the Freshman Class! Our first meeting we walked in together and was overwhelmed! But so excited, because everyone loved our little middle school selves :) I have no idea how though (we were so weird).

Anyways, over the summer we spent time hanging out with student council, swimming, and going to Lagoon where he convinced me (*dragged me) to the front seat of Wicked. We passed out together on Colossas and screamed on the Skycoaster. I'd post the picture of us but you would all make fun of our immature little faces :)

I could go on an on with the fun memories we have shared. We have done almost everything together. We stand by each other on the football sidelines. We get to the school at 5 am to set up assemblies. We go on walks and find random places, singing to people in tunnels or watching people behind the bathroom. We watch funny vines until we can't laugh anymore. We collect voodoo dolls and random toys like puppets or umbrella hats. We take pictures and videos together. We listen to good music and go to the temple to do 64 family names. He lets me wear his sweatshirts because I always get more compliments on them than he does. We take the most awful split cams, and just ugly pictures of each other in general. We tell each other everything, and we stress out together when March hits.

Over the passed couple years Hayden has been with me through everything. He has been my support, my strength, my smile, my happiness, and my partner in crime. He has grown into his eyes, and he can now see the top of my head, but his smile and his fun spirit are the same. He has introduced me to pink pina colada smoothies, frozen yogurt, cafe rio, ihop, wrestling, eagle park, videography, taylor swift, and many dumb inside jokes. Between scaring me in my basement, to letting my cry on his shoulder, Hayden is the definition of a perfect best friend.

Hayden is the most selfless person I know. He will drop anything to help me out and he will always care about my feelings before his own. We have shared so many fun memories together and I'm excited to share even more. He may be the strangest kid I know, but he is also the most spiritually strong young man I have ever met. He is such a worthy priesthood holder (in fact, when I saw him bless the sacrament I started crying because of how amazing he is). Hayden can make me smile anytime.

I love my Hayden Michael Heninger. He is my best friend on this earth.

one time we planked on a trash can. weird huh?

we used to have a psych/pineapple obsession too

LOOK HOW CUTE HE WAS!!! 

Lessons Learned

DISCLAIMER: This blogpost is not only going to be super honestly personal, but also very unorganized. I apologize.

As most everyone knows, last month I went through a pretty hard breakup. Without going into detail, the relationship wasn't very honest, and there were old ties that weren't fixed.

I can't complain. My boy gave me the best couple months, constantly spoiling me, making me feel like a million bucks and always being so sweet. He was the boy you read about in chick flicks; texting me good morning, calling me after work, bringing me sunflowers, using names like Darling and Sweetie, and always putting his arm around me, and kissing me on the forehead (perfect right?!).

It was so hard to lose him, but it was for the best.

Here's where the lessons start:

Lesson One: Everything Happens For a Reason

It's as simple as that. Though I hate why some things (like this) happen, I know there is a reason, and everything is for the best, even if it breaks your heart in the process. God never gives you trials you cannot overcome. And He can see the bigger picture. It happened for a reason, not sure why yet, but I know there is one!


Lesson Two: It's ok to Forgive

I had every reason to be completely furious and never talk to him again. In fact, the world would label him as being a terrible jerk who didn't deserve me. But from the second we broke up, I felt just as bad as he did. I felt the same emptiness, sadness, and loneliness he did. (And I cried for 24 hours straight.) It was hard for both of us!

Though I have never felt so much heart ache in my life, I have forgiven him. Whether it's because he didn't know he was doing something wrong, or he just didn't think about consequences, I know deep down, this guy has his heart in the right place, and he is always trying his hardest. How could I not forgive him? It was hard, I admit, but I have moved on. Which leads into Lesson Three...



Lesson Three: It's not Impossible.

This being my first break up, I had no idea what was going to happen. Everyone told me to forget about him, and completely move on. "Make him as jealous as you can" "Go and kiss the first boy you see" "Flirt it up!"  "Forget him, he isn't worth it"

 I tried as hard as I could to ignore him, block him out and remind myself of what he did to me. And (guess what?) I FELT  AWFUL! I was put through misery, and I cried every day. I felt like I didn't deserve this, and I was so angry.

One day I realized I was being totally selfish. Here I was, with a huge support group of friends and family who gave me endless amounts of love, flowers, chocolate, and sad songs, and he had nothing. No one was going to help him through it, because (in all reality) it was his fault we broke up.

I felt a new heartbreak. I felt a heartbreak towards him, and what he must've been going through. Heaven knows he probably felt awful! And I was making the situation worse by being cold towards him.

I guess maybe some people would call it impossible, but I decided I was going to become his friend.

At this point, I had no lovey-dovey connection with him, so I really was able to care for him as a friend. One time I even asked him if he had a lot of support or friends helping him. His response broke my heart(again), "You're my only friend, Hannah."

I talked to my mom because at first I thought, "Well, he did this to me, why should I be his therapist through my own breakup?! You aren't supposed to be friends with your ex, it doesn't work like that."

That's what most of the world says. And I know many people reading this would 100% agree.

But I'm here to prove that wrong.

He needed me now more than ever. He needed to feel love, and he needed to know I didn't hate him (as much as I acted like it). So, I sucked it up, wiped the last of my heartbreak tears from my cheeks, and decided I was no longer going to be his ex, I was going to be his friend.

(*Marc* if you are ever reading this, I hope I am at least somewhat accurate in this!)

It was hard. I had to go from being selfish to selfless towards a boy who broke my heart. What? Even I don't get it.

-Anyways, if you are still even reading this, I applaud you because I am (finally!) about to get to my point-


THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS WHOLE POST:
DESPITE WHATEVER SOMEONE HAS DONE TO YOU, IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE THEIR FRIEND!

(gasps)

Over the past couple weeks, I have built a strong friendship with a boy I "should've forgotten about." I can still talk to him about anything. I can still laugh with him and work on school projects together.

I know for a fact this isn't all my responsibility either. He has been supportive and wonderful and forgiving towards me, even at times when I don't deserve it. He has never stopped treating me with respect. I used to say I scored because I had the best boyfriend in the world, but I realized it wasn't him being mine that made him so great. It was him being him. That is why I loved him, and why he is still my friend.

Part of the reason I am writing this is because since we have become good friends, people have asked me if we are back together, or why I'm his friend or why I am being nice to this kid. The looks I get when I am with him at school or at basketball games are a mix of confused and angry and confused ;) And that's sad that it has to be like that.

It's sad that when you go through a breakup being friends is "impossible." Forgiveness is SO important, and though the past can't change, I can change from it.

 I am incredibly lucky to have this boy as my friend. To me, he is no longer my ex. I know maybe we are the 1 in a billion relationships that actually work out like this, but like I already said, I am lucky.

And guess what, my heart break and misery and loneliness is gone! Why keep feeling cruel towards someone when you could make a friend instead? It's not impossible.

Welp, that's it for my rant. Forgive everyone.

xoxo

Hannah

*names have been changed

Goals

A lot of young women's lessons lately have been on setting goals. This both exictes me and terrifies me. The future is so unknown, and I could do anything I want with it!
I love writing lists, so writing my goals down is like the ultimate life-long checklist that I fully intend on completing (unlike the 4 Summer Bucket Lists I have only halfway done).

I love reading about what other people want to accomplish in life, so I decided to share mine.

These are just a few goals I have for the awaiting future(in no particular order):

• Learn how to whistle
• Graduate from Westlake
• Go on an LDS misson
• Get first place in Rainbow Road
• Go to SouthernVirginia University
• Get married to my sweetheart in the temple
• See the Northern Lights
• Be called mom by a little mini half-me
• See my name printed on the cover of a book
• Perfect a messy bun(harder than it seems)
• Get a southern accent/drawl
• Become a professional photographer
• Learn how to walk in heels (HA!)
• Know all the words to Bohemian Rhapsody (halfway there)
• Have a little cottage I call home
• See Machu Pichu
• Keep a fish alive for longer than 2 months (danggit)
• Do humanitarian work somewhere
• Impact a life
• Pump my own gas (I am too scared to alone)
• Get both my splitz (types this while crying in pain halfway down)

I want to look back when I'm 80 and be proud of what I've done. How cool would that be!?
Setting goals is so important because of the growth and accomplishments that you can acheive. Even small, seemingly insignificant goals will establish who you are and who you've become. That's cool.


xoxo Hannah

My Amigos

People say that they have the best friends, but lemme tell you a lil secret... I took all the best ones already, sorry (not).

But really, between Date Wars, Temple Morning Devotionals, Taco Nights, Mario Smash Bros Competitions, and the endless amount of adventures, I call myself the luckiest to have 20+ best friends.

I don't have all the pictures of everything, but what I do have I cherish. When I am older, I will show my kids these pictures and brag to them about having the best times in high school because of these crazy people. Because really, they make my high school years the best years ever.

THANK YOU to all my friends who are the best people I know and the people I love the most! You all rock my world!

throwin it back to summer boarding adventures

this was the original taco night group! 

#tiedye24 !!!!



xoxo, Hannah