They only thing Dylan can really say is, “We were Addi’s age when we met.”
Telling Dylan that his “life-long” friend had died was something I never, ever thought I would have to do. Through tears, I mumbled, “Tanner died today.” It is moments like that, that I pray I never have to do again.
Tanner and Dylan – A duo that got into a lot of mischief together – hitting several baseballs though glass windows (I imagine one of them saying, “Nice hit”, before running away!), jumping the hot wheels off the cement wall, lighting the shed on fire, chasing deer around on the 4-wheeler shooting them with blunt-tip arrows, riding skateboards down Gharrett Street, using cherished childhood storybooks as bases during indoor baseball, being chased upstairs by Deaette for eating all the gumballs, endless baseball roadtrips (all of which, I swear, they remembered each game and the stats from each game!) and pizza parties…a few retold memories of Tanner and Dylan growing up.
I personally am so thankful for Dylan and Tanner growing up side-by-side. I know Tanner helped to shape Dylan into the wonderful man he is today. Dylan’s oldest friend is gone – taken from us way too soon.
About 4 days ago, Tanner messaged me on Facebook saying he would be living in Helena for a few months and wanted us to text him so we could get together…a message I hadn’t responded to yet… What I thought was how excited Dylan would be to get to spend some time with Tanner…I was looking forward to him being here…but I hadn’t told him that yet…and now it is too late…
I remember racing to the baseball fields in middle school (after stopping at the concession stand for gummy worms) to get the best spot on the bleachers to watch the shortstop – second base duo of my dreams! Dylan and Tanner were amazing to watch play together. They moved as one, as if they knew what the other was thinking – I suppose they did. Tanner loved sports and was an amazing athlete.
Whether days or years went by, this was a friendship that picked up right where you left off, as if no time had passed. Tanner was always smiling and laughing. As I quoted years ago in a page of my scrapbook, “It is always a party when Tanner is in town!” On my 21st birthday party (which is also Cinco De Mayo), Tanner and Clint showed up dressed in full Mexican attire, from the poncho to the sombrero!
The image I will carry with me is of Tanner and his young son Kaeden playing outside with a ball at Kaeden’s 2nd birthday party. He was a very proud father of Kaeden and baby Tate. Thinking of those beautiful boys growing up without their daddy is tearing me apart. I pray those sweet boys remember their dad as they grow and carry him with them forever.
A few people have contacted me, concerned about Dylan. They say, you can’t think about Tanner without thinking of Dylan. When I pass these thoughts and prayers onto Dylan he says, “Yah, we were inseperable for most of our childhood.”
We are just devastated and so, so sorry for his family, Cheyne and his little boys, and friends. It is hard to imagine this world without Tanner in it. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who loved him. Tanner was a great friend. He will be dearly missed.
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