Today, you were here.

Today, Jake was with me. Maybe not physically, but he was here comforting me. I wrote to him:

Dear Jake,

I had a huge presentation this morning. I've been working for seven months on this project, and this presentation decided if I would pass the project. This presentation decided if all my hard work was worth it or not. I would present to a board of judges who would grade me with a very strict grading scale and I had to dress in "business attire" and all that jazz. Translation: this was very serious and I was extremely nervous.

I've been rehearsing all week. I've gone over my presentation countless times, and my poor dad has heard different versions of it all week long. Basically, I thought I had it down, and that I had perfected it -- but when I got there this morning, my mind blanked.

We were given five minutes to go in and set up. I walked into the room in my oh-so-sophisticated outfit with my hair pulled back so I wouldn't play with it. I hooked up my laptop to the projector, and my screensaver was projected onto the screen -- it's that picture of us sitting on a bench.

My back was turned to the screen, so I didn't even know it was up there until I heard various awww's and whistles from my student audience.

I didn't know I could turn such a dark shade of red.

There I am, standing in a room full of people I'm trying to impress. I no longer look so sophisticated with my red face and my typical-teenage-girl wallpaper. I was feeling so unprepared despite my countless hours of both rehearsing and praying.

One of the judges said, "You have ten minutes. You may begin when you're ready." But I wasn't ready. I was nervous. I was humiliated. I wanted a hug. I wanted you.

And that's when it came to me. "Pretend like he's here," I thought. "Pretend like Jake's up here with you holding your hand."

I started to talk. I forgot everything I was nervous about. I just spoke as calmly as I would have if you were there. And you WERE. You were there the whole time, whispering to me that it would be alright, it was just a presentation, and I could do it.

Jake, I passed with flying colors. Seriously, I have never had anything go so smoothly for me. My presentation was great, and I was calm. And it was all because of you. Heavenly Father comforted me with thoughts of you, and i'm sure He knew what He was doing.

I have this theory. I believe that at some point in our lives, we all come in contact with angels. Those angels can be Heavenly messengers, personages of light, or people sent to help us. My angel just happens to be a six-foot, curly-haired wonderful boy who comforts me more than I ever thought was possible. I love you so much Jake. So much. Thanks for being there even when you couldn't be. I love you infinitely. :)

Love, yours always, Mckensie