Logan's Greatest FM 100 Fan

You know what is impossible? Trying to watch "Steel Magnolias" without crying. You know what else is impossible? Trying to describe and sufficiently do justice to the glorious, the incomparable, the beautiful, and endlessly talented Lara Garner. This is a blog entry I have been rehearsing in my head for weeks now! It is as intimidating as opening one of Lara's cupboards. I mean, honestly, I thought I was slightly-above-average organized! There are labels, people! (And subsequently, there are now labels in the Coccimiglio household).

I remember first seeing Lara in the RS room. I was an Edgemont rookie. I saw her and knew IMMEDIATELY that I wanted to be her friend. She just had this way about her. And then, a few months in, she gave this lesson in Relief Society about husband and wife relationships. It was AMAZING. She made, MADE! a DVD that highlighted the relationship between Sister and President Hinckley. It was unbelievable. Actually, words can't really do justice to how poignant and special and amazing this DVD was. I'll never forget it.

That was just my first taste in what would become an endless smorgasbord of Lara's talents. Truly, they are endless. She is a wonderfully, wonderfully talented singer. She is so gifted with her hands. She can make anything...and she makes it perfect, flawless, and beautiful. She made the most amazing blanket for my Will when he was just born. I love seeing it still because I know of the care she took in selecting the perfect fabrics, cutting and sewing it perfectly straight so it would fold up perfect, even the way she presented it to me in the hospital was with such care. (I tried to make a blanket once. She came with me to the fabric store, spent many, many minutes figuring out how much fabric I would need to buy, and spent many, many minutes helping me fix my sewing mistakes.)

Lara has flawless taste and an amazing eye. She makes everything she touches beautiful. If she wanted, she could be a successful graphic artist, or Broadway star, or best-selling author, or major event planner. While serving as the Enrichment leader, she organized, decorated, and executed the most AMAZING RS birthday. The ward's cultural hall was unrecognizable. It was so beautiful and classy. There was no detail that wasn't carefully considered. It was so perfectly Lara.

I have so many favorite memories. Like the time my alarm system was being worked on by the world's most frightening alarm system maintenance man. I was seriously afraid for my personal safety. The dude was toothless, and I could just imagine myself ending up on a future episode of "Unsolved Mysteries"! So, I called Lara and asked her to get over to my house as soon as humanly possible. Within minutes, a wet-haired Lara just shows up for what we pretended was a casual, impromptu visit. You know, because most people make social calls with their hair soaking wet. What we both knew was that it was labor of love to preserve my personal virtue.

Another favorite memory happened just a few weeks after I had Will. She called and asked if she could come get Abby for a few hours. She exposed Abby to wondrous world of Easy Mac, played games, and made Valentines' Day cards with her. I still have the card Abby made me at Lara's house, both as a reminder of my sweet little girl, and the friend who just knew how much I needed a chance to rest. I went to Costco the next day for a month supply of Easy Mac.

Lara has been there for me. Over and over again. I bawled....ugly bawled....on her floor the morning I found out about Will's food allergies. She was the greatest, most needed support doing those most-important first months as a new Primary President. She gave me the confidence I needed in myself. I don't think she'll ever know how much she meant to me, and how much her influence still helps me. She bought me my most favorite pajama pants one time when I was sick. She is one of my favorite people to call and chat with on the phone. She makes me feel understood, validated, and loved. She gives the greatest advice. Ever.

She knows how to honor big moments. Lara organized, with the help of the rest of our amazing friends, the most thoughtful "Pre Marathon" gift. I love my leopard print bag, and the boost it gave me to know my friends were pulling for me. She, and Baxter, worked for hours to create THE MOST AMAZING 30th birthday present for me. It was a bin that contained 30 things about me...and everything had a poem! I still have every single poem and will treasure them forever. Not much can compare with how it feels to find such surprises.

And that is just it! She doesn't know how to do anything but without giving all of herself. She certainly gave up everything to deliver one of the world's most special children alive. She endured everything to keep one of the world's most adorable little girls healthy and strong and inside of her womb for as long as possible. She sacrificed everything for months and months to give her bum a chance at a happy, normal future. In her family, her friendships, and in her callings...she makes everything special because of that. You would think she would be the most intimidating person in the world to be friends with, and isn't it amazing that she isn't?

I love watching her as a mom. I love seeing Will's art displayed proudly around her house. I love her fridge, her calendars, and her weekly menus. I love her deep-cleaning schedule. I love the way her house smells. I love how comfortable I could feel sitting on her bed with her watching American Idol, with Patrick on the chair. I love how she looks in a hat, and with curly hair. I love that she loves Target as much as I do. And I LOVE how she loves Disney, probably more than even I do. I love her taste in music. I love her relationship with Patrick. I love her cute mom. I love her toy room. I love how cute Millie looks on Sundays (back when I used to go to church :) ). I love her bruschetta. I love that she loves my breadsticks. I love how we can sing Janet songs together and love every minute of it. I love her sense of humor. I love her testimony. I love her blog. I love how she comments so faithfully on my blog, even when weeks go by between postings. I love how cool she is. I love her Christmas cookies, although they are too pretty to eat. I love the way she looks at life. I love how she can express herself perfectly. I love how much she loves holidays, and the way she makes them such a big deal. I love that the 4th of July and St Patrick's Day are her favorites.

And I wouldn't feel like this tribute was complete if I didn't highlight my little buddy, Will. He has always been so special to me. I love his mind. I love his sweet nature. I love his imagination. Will is one of my favorite people, and I know that he is what he is because of Lara and Patrick. When Will got up and said his part during the Primary Program, I could not stop bawling for 15 minutes. I knew what a triumph that was for him, and what an answer to prayer it was for his sweet parents. This special, amazing boy gave his CTR ring, right off his finger, to my little Abby one Sunday. She had somehow gotten lost in the church foyer on just her 2nd week of Sunbeams. Will saw her crying as I held her, walked over, and gave her the ring so she would feel better. That act of service has meant more to me than any other in my life. I still can't think about it without crying. I will always be proud that my son shares a name with such a wonderful Will.

All those months ago in the RS room, I thought I knew how great it would be to be her friend. I had NO idea just how great it would be. Love you, Lara.