[The Squad]

[The Squad]

   1:11 PM       Laura

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"It's true, we are more like a family than a group of friends. If I ever needed a laugh, or a hug, or just someone to talk to, you were all there for me. If I ever wanted to break the rules, or be crazy, or do something extraordinary, I could always count on you to back me up. And I want you all to know that you can count on me to back you up, no matter what. I would follow you all to certain death. I would take bullets for any one of you. I accept each of you completely, your virtues along with your vices, and hope to know you all my whole life."

Over and over I keep referencing 'The Squad.'  And yet, no one knows who they are, where they came from or why I love them so much.  The last time we had the full squad together was almost 2 years ago.  I've actually been working on several posts at once, telling stories, reminiscing, and getting things set up.  I actually started the Squad Memoirs blog with Kristen in an attempt to get this done,  and have been slacking posting... but as they get posted here, I'll post there too.   This is a project I've been wanting to do for a LONG LONG time, and have been working on for a LONG LONG time.

Sorry, if I seem so reminiscent.  I've gotten myself out of my hole long enough to visit memories from my past, and actually laugh at them, instead of cry. I want a record of my adventures during 2008.  In fact, I was SO busy during 2008, that I never blogged anything about it. I intend to use this blog for what it was supposed to be for, which is to tell my story, from the last several years.

 I've been compiling quotes, and movies, and videos, and audio to tell a story, from my point of view, that's never been told.  Kind of an adventure about how I found myself.  I didn't have very many friends in high school.  I can think of maybe 5 people who cared enough about me to keep tabs on me, but most of my  social development occurred over about a 2 year period.  I had friends my freshman year, but, haha... I was VERY socially awkward.  I developed and became who I am because of these people.  These wonderful people who accepted me, took me in, and even though these 2 years that we've known each other, have been filled to the brim with drama, and fights and all sorts of nasty stuff.. somehow, we all stuck together. (most of us) There's been a swirling cacophony of groups shifting friendships forming, subgroups.  One of the things I've realized is that at any point in time during the last 2 years, any problem I had, any issues I was experiencing, and any questions I needed answered, could be resolved by someone else in the group.  There was so much versatility in the group, that SOMEONE had gone through something similar, SOMEONE was studying what I needed, SOMEONE had the knowledge.  Everyone who ever became labeled "A Squad Member" was needed by someone else at any point in time.  If you ever needed someone to hang out with, or talk to, you had lots of people to choose from who loved you for who you were.

I think its funny, how much my parents didn't like them. My mom still doesn't like them all that much.  We, when we first got together, we pretty immature.  Most of us hadn't been in a relationship before, or if we were, hadn't been in one for long periods of time.  We were ALL pretty socially awkward.  Trying to find a place for ourselves in this thing we call life.
The thing is, my parents kept remarking time and again every time they saw me, that I was changing, and growing.  I'm sure they attributed it to me moving out and being away from home, but I don't.  I spent more time with The Squad than I did at my apartment for the most part.  It was BECAUSE of these people, I became who I am.  It was BECAUSE of these people, that I learned my strengths, and my weaknesses.

So, who are we? 

To quote Kristen on the memoirs blog:

"We play airsoft, we do murder mysteries, we eat food, we go to Denny's, we go to the Temple, we get involved too personally in each other's lives, we love, we dislike, we ignore, we fight, and we generally go crazy. We like to play Castle Crashers.But I think most definitely we like the friendship (most of the time, anyway. ;))"

And to quote Christopher Knorr before he left on his mission, at a time it seemed like we were going to fall apart:

"To the members of what we have come to call "The Squad",

Plenty has been said to criticize our little group. The drama is too much. The group is too close for comfort. Well, I'm not here to criticize as others have done. I'm here to celebrate and recognize something beautiful.
Through some grace of God, we found each other, like flecks of dust floating through the universe, improbably colliding and joining. That's really what this group is: the joining of two already loosely established groups of friends. But when we came together, something unique and special happened. We cemented, and this union has passed the test of time. To our critics, I would ask this: "How is it possible that such a dysfunctional group, one so filled with drama, could have survived this long?" We have had disagreements, arguments, and at times it seemed like we would separate. But we held on. I contend that those who have abandoned us, who have "outgrown" us, have also taken with them our weakness. Like a stone in a tumbler, the loosely connected pieces of earth have been chipped off, and we are solid mass, one, inseparable. I trust each of you with my life. I am proud to have known each and every one of you. Each gentleman a brother, each lady a sister.
It's true, we are more like a family than a group of friends. If I ever needed a laugh, or a hug, or just someone to talk to, you were all there for me. If I ever wanted to break the rules, or be crazy, or do something extraordinary, I could always count on you to back me up. And I want you all to know that you can count on me to back you up, no matter what. I would follow you all to certain death. I would take bullets for any one of you. I accept each of you completely, your virtues along with your vices, and hope to know you all my whole life.
Nothing lasts forever, and with this, my approaching 19th birthday, I know that I will soon be leaving you and doing the Lord's work. The lessons you have taught me will stay with me and give me strength, and I will think back on the times we had with fondness and happiness. So, although we will be separated by great expanses of sea and land, you will be with me, supporting me, encouraging me, and I will be grateful. I am grateful.

Happy Anniversary, Squad.

-Christopher Knorr - 13 January 2009"

This is my extended Family.  My family away from home.   The people who didn't care how socially awkward I was, or if I made a mistake.  They didn't care about my past.  They care enough about my future to keep me on a path I should be on.

"I accept each of you completely, your virtues along with your vices, and hope to know you all my whole life."

Its true.  Chris stated it plainly and clearly.  Are you ready to join me on my journey through my past, to understand me like these people do?  Let me tell you my story.