... or earlier.
Tonight was the much anticipated family function/farewell party/gathering for the group.
The GROUP.
What can I say about this blessed community of families? From my perspective, I like to tell the story like this: once upon a time, a long, long time ago, God brought together a few families, also known as our parents. They became best friends, and so the story continues with their children. Throughout a few years, the group became solidified with five families, & 10 kids.
[Li, Yu, Lo, Lee, Wong]
These are the family friends that we've all grown up with. Our parents have watched us grow up, going from cute babies to even cuter toddlers, then to elementary school, awkward puberty, high school, off to university, and we have even sent a couple of brothers into the working adult life stage.
At the party tonight, we had so much to celebrate together! Nathan just returned home from his student-exchange summer program to Quebec, Rosalind is going to Hong Kong for a year of schooling, Chris is going back to Queen's for law school, and our three babies are finally leaving home for university (Ryan to Scotland, Felix back to Michigan, and Nathan to Brock U)! After the usual festivities (eating, eating, Lord of the Rings, eating) we all gathered in the living room to watch a few video/picture presentations that highlighted some of our older memories growing up together. To be honest, this night turned out to be such a blessing to me.
Through watching some of the videos and listening to others share about their thoughts on the group's past, present, and future, I can say for sure that God has been so faithful to these families. Through all the joys and trials (there were a lot of both!), God has truly been raising up testimonies which have blessed and grown this community. Sometimes, I can't believe that I would be so blessed as to be a part of a family like this. Though my family moved away years and years ago, we were still able to feel like we were always a part of this fam, supporting one another through every up and every down.
Rosalind and I used to talk about this day. We used to imagine the day when we would send the rest of the group, the last of them, the babies (Ry, Bong, Nate) off to U. I can't believe that that day has come.
After a lifetime of Christmas parties, summer vacations, family trips/adventures, Congee Wong lunches, movie theater excursions, and NYCBC, it's hard to believe that we are already at this junction.
Congratulations, fam! We did it!
In 5 years, we are going on a cruise. With our parents.
In 15, we will put all of our parents in the same retirement home where they can play and remain bff's for all of eternity.
I love you! Thanks for being the best brothers and sisters anyone could ever ask for.
- bcl
