I don't remember much from my first week of school, but one memory is as clear today as it was in 1979: meeting Chad Saathoff on the school bus.  I knew from the moment we met that we would be great friends.  I knew this because I could tell that what I saw is what I would get with Chad: no lies, no pretense, no agenda.  The youngest living example of integrity I have ever met.

Chad and I lived less than a half-mile apart, and we spent a lot of time at one another's homes.  My summer days were spent as Chad's water skiing apprentice, although my teacher was head and shoulders above me in talent, courage and confidence.  A natural teacher in the water, I enjoyed high school summers teaching swimming lessons alongside Chad.  I was confident Chad would be a terrific father someday based on his teaching skills and demonstrated patience.

I gained a wealth of admiration for Chad when he enrolled in Basic Training.  He left for Georgia a boy, and returned an articulate, confident young man.  I am still amazed how courageously he tackled his first move from home, traveling 4 states away from friends and family.  He loyally served our country, protecting my freedoms for a quarter century.  Chad's courage and loyalty were some of his most defining virtues.  

Chad demonstrated more passion than most people I know.  Beginning in 7th grade I recall hearing about this "amazing girl."  Chad told me that he knew from the moment he met Kari that he would marry her some day, and I was honored to stand up with him as he made his eternal commitment to Kari.  His passion for a deep relationship with his best friend made him an obvious choice to stand up in my wedding a few years later. 

I also admired Chad for being a man of faith.  Watching him develop his relationship with Jesus Christ proved to me that he and Kari took their privilege and responsibility as parents as an eternal blessing.

I am confident that the honesty, integrity, confidence, courage, loyalty, passion and faith that I witnessed in Chad are the very same values that his wonderful sons will carry with them.  I know the Saathoff boys' class mates are as honored to count them as friends as I am that their father was mine.