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Thankful for Friends and Family!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Retired Broker/Owner AZ Broker BR030809000

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. I tend to spend more time thinking about all the friends and family I am grateful for even more so around this time of year. Now that doesn't mean I don't 'practice' gratefulness all year round, I certainly do that day in and day out.  As there is truly so much to be grateful for!

Today I want to share a few photos and stories of a few folks you may or may not know about.  One is like family and the other is a family member.

Connie and Kevin Seeker.  I've known these two since I was in my 20's.  Connie met Kevin through my older sister and it was love at first site! These two have been married 44 years this year and we had a great time celebrating their anniversary with them. We also spent a lot of time with them throughout the years.  They're always up for doing fun stuff and so are we so it's a perfect friendship match.  They are both more like family to us!.  Check out a couple of fun pics! I'm sure you can tell from just a few pics that we have way too much fun together!  And that's a good thing! 

 

 

 

Now my brother Paul is a whole different story!  He's a few years younger than me and let me tell you, we couldn't be any more different from each other!  As a kid, Paul was a bit of a trouble maker, to say the least.  If there was something going on in the neighborhood you can bet Paul was involved!  And as we grew older, he and I were so far apart from each other.  He was a less than stellar student and I was one of those book worms that loved learning to the max. We never really spent much time together as younger adults together as we were off on other paths - to say the least. He was a party boy, I was not a party girl!  You get that picture, right!  But.... fast forward many years and Paul and I have become fast friends.  He's got a a very big big heart and he is always doing things for other folks.  And OMG his sense of humor is over the top crazy!  Needless to say Paul and I are good friends now and I am happy to call him my brother!

 

 


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Comments(11)

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George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Anna "Banana" Kruchten it is funny how relationships between brothers and sister change over time.  I am much closer to my brothers and sisters today than when I was when we were growing up and as young adults.

Nov 21, 2024 01:10 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi George Souto it is interesting how relationships change over the years. I've got 8 brothers and sisters of which 2 of my brothers have passed over already....so that is sad, very sad.  I miss those 2 guys a lot!

Nov 22, 2024 08:56 AM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Anna "Banana" Kruchten sibling relationship changes aver the years. Your brother looks happy in the photo.

Nov 21, 2024 02:41 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi John Pusa oh yes my brother Paul is a happy guy!  I swear he's always making folks smile! 

Nov 22, 2024 08:58 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

I love this Anna!!! Everyone needs a Connie and Ed in their lives. I can tell by the smiles they have how much fun they are!!!   You and Gary, Connie and Ed are fortunate to have each other. My brother and I are 8 years apart and couldn't be more different. While I wouldn't call us close, we live just minutes from each other. And of course, we're together for dinners and fun family gatherings. 

Nov 21, 2024 04:52 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Kathy Streib absolutely Connie and Kevin are a lot of fun....and always have been!  We're meeting for brunch this Sunday and I"m looking forward to that as it's a great place!  Funny how you and your brother live so close and mine lives so far away. I don't get to spend much time with him but we do talk on the phone quite often.

Nov 22, 2024 09:00 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Life is so much more pleasant with family and friends to enjoy the times, good and bad.

Nov 21, 2024 07:07 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Anna "Banana" Kruchten  everyone has someone that disappoints, but life is too short and at the end of the day they are the losers.

Nov 22, 2024 09:32 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Indeed so Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 . Family and friends make the world go round!  And lots more fun - usually!!  I could talk about one that doesn't but why waste our energy on that, right!!

Nov 22, 2024 09:02 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Agreed Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 on occasion I've shaken my head and thought......seriously?  I'm pretty happy go lightly and just don't make a big deal out of small stuff.  Some folks do and that's their path I guess!!

Nov 22, 2024 10:42 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Anna,

I love  the photo of Kevin and Connie and I can see they are sooo much fun. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law (I call her kisses) are just like this. Geno and I traveled to many countries with them and always had way too much fun! One year Kisses and I were on a kick of lemon drop martinis and were taste testing them every where we went! LOL!🍸

Nov 21, 2024 07:36 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Now that's too funny Dorie Dillard Austin TX !  Connie and I have enjoyed a few fun drinks over the years.  She usually is introducing me to something.  The last one was Martini's with jalapeno and garlic stuffed olives. Yummy!  They are perfect for the summer time when it's so hot out.

Nov 22, 2024 09:05 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Anna "Banana" Kruchten  I do not have siblings and neither does Diane, but all I can say is relationship with cousins, relatives and friends could be dynamic and changing over the years, Endre

Nov 21, 2024 10:00 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Oh Endre Barath, Jr. I didn't realize you and Diane don't have any sibblings.  Both only children!  Guess that means you were both spoiled  lol!!  Just kidding!  Not from the sounds of  your Dad!  He raised a good man!

Nov 22, 2024 09:06 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Anna - thank you for sharing photos as well as the fun memories of people in your life.   Differences as well as similarities continue to add to the bigger picture of our lives.  

Nov 22, 2024 04:50 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

That is for sure Michael Jacobs lots of differences and similarities make the world go round! I feel like I won the lottery in friends.....and am grateful for that in itself!

Nov 22, 2024 09:08 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

This was a fun read - your friends Connie and Kevin must be a hoot! Love the hats!

And I'm glad to hear you and Paul are now good friends - that does not always happen with family members!

Nov 22, 2024 04:51 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Kat Palmiotti seems like we're always dressing up for something.  I"ll have to share the story of a 'fall Oktoberfest' which really wasn't Oktoberfest but we thought it was!  Paul and I would be the  most unlikely good friends now......but we are.  We were so very different growing up you'd be surprised!

Nov 22, 2024 09:12 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Anna... loved all your photos. Then again, all your photos always seem to scream "fun!" and put a smile on my face. Fun with long-time friends and siblings is something to treasure and be grateful for.

Nov 22, 2024 06:46 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Thanks Nina Hollander, Broker we do have a lot of fun......thankfully!  Glad they bring a smile to your face!  You'd enjoy our friends......such a great group of folks!

Nov 22, 2024 09:14 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Anna "Banana" Kruchten maybe one day I'll get out to your area! How are you feeling, by the way?

Nov 22, 2024 10:59 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Anna "Banana" Kruchten  yes we Diane and I spoiled rotten:) seriously she has many cousins and hence we are the relatives that everyone loves when it comes to birthdays and holidays:)Endre

Nov 23, 2024 09:57 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Lol spoiled rotten you say huh Endre Barath, Jr. !  Somehow I don't think so!  You're both to old to have relatives spoiling you.....you are the ones to be spoiling.  You can start with me!  LOL

Nov 25, 2024 10:24 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Your friends Kevin & Connie look like a TON of fun and I'll bet the 4 of you provide lots of laughs when you're together, Anna! How cool that you and your brother are now so close - I love that. Family and friends make the world go-round! 

Your photos make my heart smile! 💕

Nov 30, 2024 07:53 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Debe Maxwell, CRS of Lordie....Connie and Kevin are so much fun and I'm truly grateful to have known them most of my life.  They really are more like family to us.  And it's nice to have Paul showing up again too!  He's such a funny guy!  And so good with all his grandkids!

Nov 30, 2024 01:56 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

Oh, I love hearing that, Anna "Banana" Kruchten! My brother is back in my life as well and I am so thrilled to have that relationship again - it's like he never left! So, I know that sense of gratitude you have for Paul as well. It's a wonderful feeling!

Nov 30, 2024 04:23 PM