So I've learned that friends in life can come from all sorts of creative places. Rusty (a.k.a. Mr. Ayers) was my 8th grade English teacher. Now when I tell people we still keep in touch I get that look... like "that's weird." Well fine, I see what you mean but no. Rusty was the super cool teacher that let kids hang out in his class room to play card games during the lunch hour for a more laid back atmosphere. Even back then we used to talk about our shared love of hiking and literature and life philosophy. I don't really care if that made me teacher's pet.
When I left the next year for boarding school Rusty welcomed me to send him a letter to let him know how it was going, and so I did. This was back before email was wildly popular and people still sent snail mail now and then. I didn't write much but I would send a Christmas card update every year even after I graduated right on through college. After one of these notes he wrote back and said "stop by to see me and Ruthie sometime!" and so I did and I was glad.
Ruthie is lovely, like a bouquet of wild flowers. She lights up a moment without really trying and immediately puts you at ease. I remembered Mr. Ayers always speaking fondly of his wife in class, and if she stopped by you could see that they were so happy together and it meant a lot to me as a child to see this good example. To see them as a couple at home was downright heartwarming. They ask me about how things are going in my life with the interest and sincerity of my grandparents, but they mention the places they have been or advice on things with the hipness of friends my age. I will always be grateful to Rusty and Ruthie for being great mentors and also for making me feel welcome in their lives.
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