So Long, Farewell--Chalga yoh, Adios

Eight years ago, these two were just little boys.

Ever since, they've been best friends.

Ever since, it's been Ben and McKay.

It takes a special kind of friendship to trust with deep secrets. It takes a special kind of friendship to read side by side for hours with no need for talk. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a friend like that.

Dozens of books exchanged. Countless hours together on the football field and in the classroom.

Days and nights of deep, thoughtful discussions on everything from Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time to Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson.

Tonight, they said goodbye.

After spending the next eight weeks in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, McKay will serve a two-year LDS mission in Daejeon, South Korea.

And in October, Ben will spend six weeks in the Mexico MTC, then he will begin his mission to the people of Lima, Peru.

It will be almost 28 months before these boys men will be reunited, just like Alma and the sons of Mosiah--friends who separated for fourteen years to spread the gospel (to read their story, click here).

I love these two young men. 

I have watched them grow from two skinny little bookworms into two strong, faithful, truly incredible young men.

 Young men who unashamedly love their families, their friends, their Savior . . .

. . . and each other.

Watch out, world. Elder Tucker and Elder Denton--here they come.

As they say in Korea, Annyeonghi gaseyo.

As they say in Peru, Hasta mas tardes.

God be with you--both of my boys--until 2016 when you meet again.