558 Miles

558 miles (one way) is the number of miles traveled by Luella's very special friend to get all the way to our house. Well, she is not JUST Luella's friend... she is very special to our whole family!! You might remember past posts about the organization "IR4" (I Run For). IR4 matches runners with buddies who have medical issues or special needs. The runners dedicate their miles to their buddies. We were fortunate to have Luella matched with a wonderful lady from Illinois named Sue! Sue has been such a blessing to us! Sue and Luella were matched in January 2014. Sue runs, walks, bikes and most importantly prays for Luella! Since they were matched over a year and half ago, Sue has said she wanted to find a time to come and visit us. (Find my post about getting matched with Sue here - http://littleluella.blogspot.com/2014/02/long-overdue-updates-seizures-school.html)

The board we used to track Sue's miles.

We had been keeping track of all of Sue's miles on a fun board we made. In June Sue completed 558 miles - running, walking and biking for Luella! Since her virtual journey to our house was done, it was time to do the real thing (driving of course!).

On Thursday, August 6th, Sue and her husband Jim got up super early to begin their trek to Luverne to meet Luella! They weren't sure how late they would be getting to Luverne so we planned to meet for the first time on Friday. As it turns out they made great time and were in town in time to join the kids and me for the Bank Night movie "Home" at our Historic Palace Theater on Thursday night! I saw them as soon as I found a parking spot and Luella wasted no time unbuckling and getting out of the van to greet Sue! It was SOOO sweet!! She was so excited to finally meet her "running buddy"!!

(Video of Luella meeting Sue for the first time - https://youtu.be/w5huYBC3AjM)

It was a fun movie to watch together but it was probably more fun to listen to Luella laughing throughout  the movie! It was pretty cute!

On Saturday Sue and Jim spent the day with us. There were many gifts bestowed on all the kids from them! Wow, did they get spoiled! Luella had fun showing Sue around our house and they played and played!

(Video of Luella and Sue playing a fishing game. Warning: LOTS of giggles here! - https://youtu.be/__eG7txmUec)

The day went by so fast! We visited, checked out some of the shops downtown, took a drive to see some of our great Blue Mounds State Park. We finished the evening with some homemade pizza and s'mores cupcakes. It wasn't over yet though. Sue wanted to give Luella her birthday present a little early so she could see her open it in person... Luella received the most gorgeous purple dress up gown - just like Rapunzel!! She loved it and wanted to sleep in it that night!! It was such a whirlwind day! So much love and happiness.... and a few tears as we said our goodbyes. Luella didn't understand the sadness but Sue and I did. Hard to say goodbye when you don't know when you'll meet again! Thank goodness for the internet and being able to stay connect... even though 558 miles separate us! 

Thank you Sue for your love and caring!! We are blessed by your friendship! 

Here are a few other pictures from our fun day! 

After the movie - Sue with the kids and me.

Loving having Jim and Sue visit us in Luverne!

The kids getting lots of goodies! 

SO MANY things!! 

Luella enjoyed having Jim and Sue play her fishing game with her.

Of course Luella had to play a little piano.

The beautiful early birthday present Luella got from Sue and Jim! Such a beautiful princess!

Luella and Sue! I love how Luella is holding Sue's necklace - one we gave her last year that
says "I Pray 4 Luella".

This is the last picture Sue took of Luella - standing in the window waving goodbye.
Sue posted on facebook with the caption
"Saying goodbye to a princess is very hard."
We'll miss you Sue!!