Diane and Mike Faucher

Diane and Mike Faucher

I reflect on my relationship with Diane and Mike and I think of how great they have always made me feel. I was only 17 when they came into my life. At the time I was spending quite a bit of time with their daughter. It did not take long for me to feel extremely comfortable with the whole family. I noticed right away how outgoing and welcoming they were to so many people. I had a great feeling just being around them. Our families had been previously connected so it was always real easy to talk. I started sharing my thoughts and concerns about life with Diane and she was always ready to listen and help whenever she could.
I saw such strength in Diane and such a passion and love for life and her family. She could go from being a caring mother to playing games and joking around like a kid. I loved the fact that there was little negativity in their home. They always seemed to be moving forward and working toward goals. I watched them always working hard to help others with their goals too. When I was 18 my mom and dad moved away. I really wanted to stay. I had a lot of friends, family and obligations that I did not want to leave. Diane was like a mother to me. I knew I could count on her no matter what. She would often say “you can come to dinner every night if you want to”. I loved to watch and learn from her.

Mike also took me under his wing showing me all kinds of neat tricks of his trade and started taking me along for some “side jobs” he had. I wanted to help him but my knowledge was limited. I know Mike knew that but he still asked me to tag along anyway. He made me feel of value for the things I could do. I know he was just being good to me. He made me feel like he needed my help and I wanted to help but mostly I just liked being with him. He was always creating opportunities to give and receive with me. We could laugh and talk about the things we had in common like Music and trucks. I only knew Mike for a short time when he started telling other people “this is my boy” that made me feel great. With my parents living so far away I needed that in my life. Mike is one of the hardest working People I have ever seen. I have learned so many things from him about life and he needs to know the difference he has made in mine. I introduced my bands to Diane and Mike not long after I met them I asked to come and listen and see what they thought. I guess they became hooked because they travel with me every chance they get. I can’t even express how great that makes me feel. Diane and Mike have always protected me like I was their own son. After my mom and dad moved away I found myself going to them with every decision I had to make and they have always supported and guided me.

One day I got a call from Diane and she asked me to come to dinner. It was not out of the ordinary so I agreed. What I did not know was that they had found a girl they wanted me to date and they had invited her to dinner as well. My first blind date ended up becoming my wife. They told me they knew she was the perfect girl for me and time has proved them right. Over the years my relationship with them just continues to grow. I feel closer and closer to them. I have always had great times with them and I do love them like parents. I want to honor them because I am aware that they did not have to be Leaners for me but they did because thats the type of people they have always been. I look up to them and have learned so much about life from them. To this day I know I can make a call and they are there for me. That is something many people dream of. I need them in my life because they are a great source of strength for me.

Now that I understand what Leaning is all about I can better understand just how great they really are. They have always set good examples for me, guided me, lifted my spirits, and they continue to create Leaning moments. As I get older and busier being a dad and a husband the time I share with them seems limited but there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about them both and appreciate all they have done for me and my new family. They have helped me become who I am today. I would not have the wonderful family that i do today without them and they should know how much of a difference that has made. As a new father I look forward to my children having Diane and Mike as Leaners for them.

So I want to thank them both so very much for being Leaners for me. Thank them for always being there and always making me feel like a part of their family. I continue to grow, learn and draw strength from them everyday and I know there are so many more great times ahead.
I love them both.