Saying Goodbye to A friend, A client, A Marine........

These days there are so many complaints regarding real estate.The market is too slow, inventory too high, and yada yada. My biggest complaint and most difficult challenge is saying goodbye. As fortunate as I am to work with so many Marines, it can be heart breaking.

This morning one of my very first Drill Instructor clients walked through my door for the last time. Well...at least for another 3-5 years anyway. Tim Mooney, US Marine, Marine 1 client, and long time supporter of Cherimie.

The first time we met he was so tired he could barely stay awake as we drove from house to house. I remember how excited he was when we walked in to "that perfect place for him".

There were days I had to meet him on base to get papers signed. I would get so miserably lost and eventually call him to come find me. There were days I would ask him to email or text instead of call because his voice was so hoarse I couldn't understand a word he was saying.

He would laugh when I would ask him to "speak English' when he started using military jargon. He taught me so much. He taught me my way around Parris Island, the real meaning of hard work, how to speak to a recruit, and how NOT to speak to a Marine:). I called them soldiers one day, he quickly corrected me.

"We are Marines".

Tim and I have been friends for a while now. It doesn't seem fair that I have to say goodbye. My favorite memory of Tim was the night of my first time teaching a room full of Marines. I was about as scared as a woman can be, knees knocking, hands sweating, voice cracking. I looked to the back of the auditorium, and there he stood. In full uniform, silently supporting his quite awkward real estate friend. Immediately, I was at ease.

We have shared many laughs over the past few years, helped each other through the not so great times, and truly enjoyed every bit of it. Thank goodness email, texts, and airplanes exist. I am so going to miss seeing him.

Just as Marines watch over us all, he has watched over me for a few years now. It is time for him to move on. He is packing as I write.

What's a girl to do?

Smile, say thank you, make a quick joke to numb the sting, and know that the world is a safer place, and I a better person, because of Tim Mooney, US Marine.