From Melodie, from the family book

Dearest Boatwright Family…

It seems impossible for me to write my feelings for Dan down on paper.  Having him as a part of my life has meant more to me than I can describe, and every time I think about him, or every time I would see that it was him calling my phone I would always get a huge smile on my face.  As you already know, he had the most contagious personality, as do all of you guys!  I loved spending time in your home, and would just laugh at how you all meshed so well with each other, and I would laugh pretty much the entire time I was there!  I cannot thank you all enough for all the wonderful memories I have in my heart of all the time spent with your amazing family during the good times at LHS. 

        Dan was one of my best friends.  We were able to spend so much time together throughout high school not only because we were in office together, but because through that association we were able to build a friendship that lasted.  We would talk on the phone for hours, and when we were in college I loved meeting him up at school, or going to each others houses to talk.  He loved to go to my parents house to sit in the hot tub, and my parents actually came home and found him there a couple of times without me!  They loved it, and loved him as a dear, dear friend.  I never knew of anyone that did not love Dan instantaneously.  He could make friends with a 4 year old just as easy as a 70 year old!  My family loved having him around, and admired his genuine love for people and his incredible ability to make everyone happy. 

        I always looked forward to Dan's phone calls where he would describe and tell the funniest stories about the people he worked with, and the experiences he was having with them.  I wanted to include the following email that he wrote to me while working at the Ritz Carlton in Cali.  It isn't anything spectacular, but to me it illustrates the fun Dan that we all loved, and his witty sense of humor.  Also, he is referring to Boris and one of the Asian ladies that he worked with that he found hilarious, and I love this email because their legacy lives on!  He would tell me stories of them, and I would tell my roommates, etc… and to this day people will "quote" things to me from stories that Dan would tell!  I think that "AAABEEEEBO BehMan" will never die, and I am sure he shared that story with you all as well!  Here is the email…

               AAABEEEEEBO BehMan!!  Melodie Starr, your the best by far, but kina car

            Is jor car?  Ahhhhh what a beautiful poem by me (if I do say so myself).

            I wanna see that beautiful picture of us.  Please?  I ASKED PLEASE!!!!

            Come on!  OK, OK....sorry...got a little heated there....I just get upset

            sometimes....you know what I mean?  Huh?   I SAID YOU KNOW WHAT I

            MEAN!?

            Wow.....there it is again.  Where is this sudden emotion coming from?

            Maybe its just my strong passion/desire for you.  There...I said

            it....passion slash desire, passion slash desire, thats what it is Starr.  But do  you

            have passion slash desire for yours truly?  I hope so.  Well, Im suppose to

            be studying but guess what.  IM NOT.  Overratted.  Well Mel, everything is

            A OK in my life.  School is cool.  Work is work.  Mamm B is cool.  I'll tell

            Her you say hello.  Well gotta go.  Sorry I got heated/mad at you just

            then.  I rarely get heated slash mad at people anymore.  I love you  and take it

            easy.  I hope  you move to Nevada because it might mean we will be

            closer.  Tell Stacey I am thinking of her too.  I love you.

            Always Yours,

            Daniel James Boatwright

 

I of course will miss all the good times with Dan, all the laughs and smiles, but I am so grateful to have so many great memories of him.  I also will miss the side of Dan that I didn't get to know as much until after high school.  Of course we would always laugh, but we were able to talk deeply about life and goals and religion.  We would talk about the new responsibilities and stresses of deciding what "we were going to be".  I am so grateful for the friend that he was to me, and how he was such an amazing listener.  He would help me with my struggles in relationships, and always assured me that if things didn't work out with whichever guy I was stressed out about that he would be there to "make it better" (direct quote!) 

        I love Dan, and everything that he represents.  I love you all so much and want you to know how thankful I am to know you, and to be a part of your lives.  I get a huge smile on my face thinking about all that your family did while in Logan, and the numerous lives that you touched.  Everyone loves the Boatwright's, and I admire the influence you all had to make people happy, and show others what it was like to live with joy.  Please know how much I love you, and how dear your friendships are to my heart. 

With Love Forever,

Melodie Gunnell Holbrook