At about 6:30 tonight, we found out that Adam's loving grandpa, Tom Pace, passed away.

Let me tell you a few things about Grandpa Pace...

I have only been a part of the Pace Family for 7 months now and feel like I have known grandpa Tom for a lifetime. I have never felt so warm and so welcomed and so loved as I did the day that I met Tom. It was in December of 2009. I went over to Adam's parent's house for Sunday dinner and Grandpa Pace was there. He usually goes over there for dinner at least one Sunday a month. I remember seeing him as soon as we walked in the door and Adam introduced me to him. I just remember thinking how tall and how handsome he was! We skipped the handshake and went straight for the big teddy bear hug! Grandpa was a hugger.. Or maybe that's me. Either way, that was the best hug I had received from someone I just met EVER. Grandpa was just such a loving man and a best friend to all. He loved the Gospel, his family including all of his kids and grandkids and especially his wife. Grandpa always sent Adam and I letters for Christmas, birthdays, etc... and there was always a quote from his wife or something about his wife in those letters. We knew that those letters weren't just coming from Grandpa because of how much he included his dearest wife in everything that he did. I never did get a chance to meet Vera, Grandma Pace, but I have heard how amazing of a woman she was and I am sure she was nothing less than that. You could see it in Grandpa and the way he spoke about her.

Needless to say, I am so glad that grandpa got the chance to be reunited with his sweet wife. He has missed her a lot and we all looked forward to that day where they would get to see each other again.

Another memory I have of Grandpa Tom is our New Years Tradition. Grandpa would invite all of his family who could, to go to breakfast at IHOP on New Years Day every year. I remember the first time was right when I started dating Adam. Grandpa paid, of course, and we all just sat around stuffing our faces with pancakes and enjoying our time together. I think that is so neat that he gets everyone together for that. I know it is something their family looked forward to every year and I was so happy to be a part of it all. Well, I have now been able to take part in that tradition for 2 years now and i LOVE it. I used to hate IHOP to be honest with you, and now it is one of my favorite breakfast places just cause of the memories ( and their strawberry banana pancakes) :)

I will miss you Grandpa Pace. I am so grateful for the chance that Adam and I had to say goodbye to you and be by your side yesterday. I am so thankful for your example and for the beautiful family you have raised here on this earth. I see a lot of your qualities in my own husband and I know that he has had you to look up to and his father and I can only thank you for the things that you have taught them and the example that you have been. I can not wait for Adam to be the kind of father and grandfather that you were!

God be with you till we meet again.... I love you.