Tiffany (Brown) Christensen

It was the summer of 1988, and after being accepted to BYU, I knew I wanted to live in the dorms my first year. Deseret Towers looked like the best fit and they asked for a profile sheet. I filled out things like my major, study habits, cleanliness, etc. I was so excited to get a letter from Emmett, Idaho, (though I admit I hadn’t heard of the town!). Suzette and I seemed like 2 peas in a pod and I couldn’t wait to meet her. It was hard to believe she was the oldest of 7 sisters!

The 1988-1989 academic year at BYU in Provo holds some of my fondest memories of my ‘youth’! Suzette and I shared a nursing major (at least for one year) and took many of our classes together. We had an 8:00 chemistry class and Suzette used to fall asleep in the front row, almost every day! (To her credit, the professor we had was dull and monotone!) Anatomy lab… all my shoes were saturated with the smell of formaldehyde. We spent hours in the lab studying all of the nerves, muscles, organs and bones of cadavers! Eating in the Morris Center; the 6 of us (Stacie, Trina, Kristin, Aren, Suzette and I) and the many friends we made. Going to see edited movies in the Wilkinson Center Theater. Walking to campus in the freezing winter weather and falling daily on our butts because of icy sidewalks.

Suzette and I kept our room, (U405) immaculate. I can’t believe we lived 9 months in that tiny space! We had to have a ‘messy day’ once in a while, just to release tension. Then it would drive us crazy, so we’d clean it all up, again! We’d stay up late studying for exams, only to get so exhausted, we’d say, “We know this!” and go to sleep. Most times, the following day at the testing center, we’d realize we could have used a few more hours of studying!

Suzette… after 22 years of friendship, I still love you just as much as I did when we were Freshmen! Thanks for sacrificing your time and coming to visit me in Colorado, even when you lived out east. It was a treat to have you come see Cary and I and our girls, Shay and Shyanne. They thought they were in heaven when you visited, spoiling them and tickling them, going exploring and riding ATVs. We really looked forward to your visits! Even though you and Cary still tease me that you two kissed in our living room while studying for American Heritage!

I still can’t believe Mike gave you that sapphire ring.

I wish for you many more years of happiness and success. I miss you now that you are back in Liberal country. Don’t forget about us here in the west! Have a wonderful 40th birthday and I’m glad you are as old as me! I love you, girl!

Suzette as bridesmaid (yes, in peach taffeta) and Tiffany on Tiffany's wedding day.

Kristin Nelson, Trina Bowles, Suzette and Tiffany Brown Christensen on July 28, 1990. Tiffany's wedding day.