Just days before we moved from California, I remember coming home and seeing a gift next to our door. It was a little board book called, “Good Night, San Francisco”. Kari Shirley had given that book to us from her family as a going away gift. She could not have given us a more perfect memento. I read that little book and just cried. Each page brought so many tender memories of the area and people that we grew to love so much.
We moved to the Bay Area ready to make friends and go on adventures. And that is exactly what we did. We hiked in the most beautiful places, spent lots of time breathing in the ocean air at the beaches, explored tide pools and wild life, admired the Golden Gate Bridge (and many other bridges), visited as many museums and attractions as we could, biked and ran along the Bay, and spent a whole lot of time outside enjoying the year round amazing weather. But the best part about living there was meeting and becoming friends with some incredible people, like the Shirleys. The Shirleys were always serving and helping everyone around them. Kari was always helping me with my kids and giving me the most delicious treats (I don’t think my family ever got to taste her lemon poppyseed bread- I ate it all every time:) ). She was also frequently checking in on how I was doing- even when her hands were full with a newborn, a toddler, and everything else on her plate.
Kari and Matzen, thank you for allowing me the privilege of taking your family pictures! Ever since I first met you, I have been impressed with your family- you are all so beautiful both in and out. Thank you for being my friends and for such a great evening last fall at this photo shoot:)
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