Love stories: Odes to friends and family

Family is not always by blood

A quote from science fiction author Mira Grant says, “Blood is one thing, but that’s not all that goes into family. The family you choose is the family that really matters. They’re the ones who’ll keep you standing.”

Over the last 15 years or so, I have learned that is truly the case.

I met Shanna and Randy, who you probably know as the owners of Johnston Now, in 2006 when Randy came to work at the Daily Dispatch in Henderson. I had been sports editor of the paper, and I moved to another position and Randy was hired as sports editor.

He and I shared a common love of sports, and also both play tennis, so we hit it off immediately. I soon met Shanna and their son Ethan, and we began to hang out. We quickly bonded as great friends.

In late 2007, I suffered an injury playing tennis that ended with reconstructive knee surgery. During the time I was rehabilitating my knee, they checked on me every day to make sure I had groceries and in particular, something to eat since it was hard to stand for any period of time in a brace from hip to ankle.

In 2008, we ended up moving to different locations. Shanna took a job in Raleigh, so they settled in Four Oaks. I took a job at a small paper in the mountains of Virginia and was living in Hot Springs.

During the time I was moving, they constantly checked in on me to make sure I was getting settled and that my new job was good. They were doing this while going through the process of moving and getting settled themselves.

We kept in close contact for all those years, and soon I became a regular guest in their home for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other times for special gatherings or events, or just to hang out on the occasional weekend.

I arrived one Christmas and there, hanging on the mantle, was a stocking with my name on it. I say all this because I have learned the quote that I referenced earlier is true.

Shanna and Randy have taken me as part of their family. They include me in many of their gatherings and events. We eat countless meals together. We go places together.

As it neared time for me to retire from fulltime work, we began to discuss me moving to this area and working part-time for the magazine. Once I retired, I decided it was the right move, and here I am.

I am an only child, and my parents passed away many years ago. My family on both sides has lost touch with each other. So, Randy and Shanna and Shanna’s mom and dad, Terri and David, are truly the only family I have.

I will never be able to express enough gratitude for the way they have made me part of their family when they certainly didn’t have to. Hopefully this letter to them will be one way I can show how appreciative I am of all they have done, and continue to do, for me.

All I can really say to them is “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

— Mike Bollinger

A special message for her nieces

Dearest Nieces,

The role of Aunt or “Auntie” is special whether you have children or not. My oldest niece was born at Easter time. Seeing her in the delivery ward at the hospital, my first comment was that my little brother has a beautiful daughter.

My second niece shined like an angel at her christening, as all babies do. When my youngest niece was born several years later, I cross-stitched a needlepoint announcement for her.

I have a funny shirt that says, “An aunt is like a Mom, only cooler.”

So, on this Saint Valentine’s Day, I wish my nieces a lifetime full of peace, joy, and love, and to continue to always keep Jesus in your hearts. Happy St. Valentine’s Day to all!

— Sincerely, Auntie Anne (Elizabeth Anne Temple)