We fondly remember our elementary school and summer camp days together at Carden. Our first date was actually a trip down memory lane of our little school in Placentia--now a dentist office and furniture shop. Sean fondly remembers the little potties, the site of the pool, Trader Joes and the gun shop across the street, Topaz Elementary School, the huge palm trees in the neighboring apartment complex, and the playground, now converted to a large parking lot. Lara fondly remembers the big tree out back on the play yard, the shelves outside where we would keep our lunches during the day, swimming music and art lessons, trips to Thrifty for a double chocolate malted crunch ice cream cone and Mrs. Monson's secret rose garden in front of the school. We remember our favorite teachers, Mrs. Xavier, Miss Carpenter, Mrs. Colletto, Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs.Wiseman and Mrs. Ramsey. Of course we remember Mr. Monson, the headmaster of the school, and Miss Monson, who is now the director of the school and Lara's boss! Sean still remembers the striped camp T-shirts and especially the Tajar stories and camp songs. Even today, he has been known to sing them at family gatherings. Even with all the fun and games, grade school brings back memories of a more innocent time for us that have become a foundation for building through high school and university.

Once high school began, we lost contact, though our parents remained close friends. We met again twenty years later after difficult times in 2005. Sean’s grandfather and Lara’s father, Al, passed away at the end of 2004/beginning of 2005. Sean, in Iraq at the time, was busy driving beans and bullets up north, while Lara helped out her family, was mother to James and continued her teaching career. Upon news of Al’s death, Sean’s mom attended the funeral. (Did I mention that Sean’s mom taught school with both of Lara's parents at Imperial and Washington Elementary School? They taught for thirty years together sharing La Habra school stories and traumas together). Although funerals are not the happiest place to rekindle old friendships, Lara and Sean’s mom struck up a conversation and discussed Sean’s overseas experiences. Marianne gave Lara Sean’s overseas address and also gave Sean Lara’s e-mail. Somehow letters and e-mails passed one another, packages came and went, and correspondences turned into a new budding relationship. After hundreds of e-mails, snacks, and letters, Sean came home from the Middle East. From there, Sean moved back to Stanislaus County and the long distance relationship continued. Being apart so much has been difficult at times, but as our wedding approaches, anticipation grows for the next plane flight and next car ride north or south and finally one to the Emerald Isle, a place of ancestry for both of us. At the end of the school year for Lara and James, this Carden School family will be one again, as James graduates from 8th grade from the same school that we attended. I wonder if Tajar has left footprints in the Great Valley?

In our free time, we enjoy traveling, hiking, camping and reading. We love to spend time with family and friends, enjoying good food and conversation. We are looking forward to our Christmas wedding in County Wexford, Ireland.

Sean, Lara and James