“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” -Emily Bronté
Kel and Garrett are a romance story fit for a princess and her prince. Once they found one another, they were inseparable and spread love wherever they went. Their joy and excitement about the upcoming birth of their son was contagious and they looked forward to his arrival with great anticipation. However, their fairy tale ended quite unexpectedly in an auto accident on January 19, 2013. Their beautiful smiles, laughter, and loving presence will be deeply missed by the many people who loved them, raised them, and nurtured them to the adults they became.
Kelsey Elizabeth Halterman came into this world on September 26, 1991 because her mother, Jennifer Lyn Allred and her father, Franklin Daniel Halterman began a family that eventually included her brother Tom Halterman. Kelsey’s family grew with the addition of Tracy Gunnell Halterman and bonus siblings, Mark Schofield and bonus siblings, and Wendy Kipple.
Garrett Joseph James Boweter-Barker, born December 13, 1990, was deeply loved and truly cherished by his mother, Tonya (Christiansen-Boweter) Monard, his father, Ronald Craig Boweter and siblings, Cassie Boweter-Barker (Barry Beggs), and Jaromy Boweter-Barker. His world expanded with step-father, Dennis Monard and bonus sister, step-mom, Jody Pederson and bonus brothers, and his adoptive parents, Mirjam and Jay Barker and many bonus siblings.
The love story of Kelsey and Garrett included five dogs, four cats, reptiles, arachnids, and other furry kids who are too numerous to name. Their dogs, Rogue, Lyla, Akayah, Odin, and Rambo accompanied them on their journey to Happily Ever After, passing from this earth due to injuries sustained in the accident.
The emergency response team and compassionate staff of Lakeview Hospital did all that they could to save Sage Cannon Boweter, bringing him into the world perfectly healthy and whole within an hour of the accident. However, after taking a few strong breaths, Sage chose to join his parents.
With all of the bonus siblings, bonus in-laws, vast extended families, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and chosen family members, their lives have been filled with abounding love and examples of living fully. Because we couldn’t find the words that felt adequate, we are choosing to let their words illustrate their love for one another and their son, Sage…
Kel to her mom: I finally found someone whose love is bigger than the fear I have of being loved.
Kel to Garrett: I AM heaven sent! Don’t you forget it!
Garrett to Kel: Woman. I have to tell you… there’s a cat in our neighborhood… it’s orange. I think I love her.
Kel: Board games all night with boo. One of the thousands of reasons I’ll marry this kid.
Kel to Garrett: I love you. Thank you for treating me better than I ever deserved to be treated.
Garrett to Kel: Happy Birthday babe! This past year and a half with you has been the best year and a half someone could ask for. Thank you for being here for me, thank you for letting me be there for you. I’m so excited for our future with the baby, I couldn’t have picked a better mother for him. You’re the best Kelsey. I really appreciate you being in my life 🙂 PTL FTF. Xoxo I love you!!!!!
Garrett to Kel: I love you babe, im glad im having a baby boy with my best friend. Im glad i work with, sleep with, and do everything with you. You are my life. Ptl, ftf. 🙂
Kel to Garrett: Hey butthead. I love you even when you smell like a foot 🙂
Garrett to Kel: I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I’ve ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours.
Kel to Sage: I hope you learn eagerly, get everything you work for, love animals a lot, laugh often, never forget your dreams, ignore other’s judgments and grow strong.
Garrett to Sage: I hope you love all of your family and I hope you become like me.
To celebrate this family, a viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The private funeral services will be Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 12:00 noon. Viewing and funeral will be held in the space where Kelsey wanted to have their wedding this summer – Mitchell Barn 1428 Sunset Drive, Kaysville, Utah. For those attending these services, please dress warmly and bring blankets to wrap around you and your loved ones. Monetary contributions, parking details, and further information can be found at HisSoulAndMine.blogspot.com
“Love of mine, someday you will die but I will be close behind. I will follow you into the dark.”
