'Thank you for saving my wife's job'

To: The Incredible Residents of Flathead County, MT

From: a very humbled husband in Austin,Texas.

In an enormous show of support, the residents of Flathead County saved my wife’s job.

I thank you.

I have been in love of the state of Montana my whole life, but when you’re a kid you go where mom and dad go and my father was a career Air Force officer and we saw a lot of the world. But then it was off to college and try to start a family and a career and then life throws a curveball and you start over. A new family, a new career. As my step-son got older and became more self-sufficient, the idea of moving to Montana began to grow.

Finally a culmination of events took place:

1) I got tired of the heat. Texas is beautiful, but it is hot! And despite the humidity, it gets dry.

2) My need to go skiing began to grow.

3) Max didn’t want to stay in Austin, and,  

4) My wife, Lisa, was up for the adventure!

We talked about it, we researched it and we made a decision. We were moving to Kalispell. Only after our decision did we learn that Lisa had family in the area, and they have been a true blessing. As you know, Lisa got a job first. She began Nov. 1, 2012. My mom and I moved Lisa into a town we really knew nothing about. But she soon made friends and got back into her habit of working seven days a week for 8-12 hours a day. Soon many people noticed her strong work ethic and the elevated standard by which she judges herself.

Max moved to Montana in December. This move has been nothing less than wonderful for him!

I am still in Texas, waiting to close on out house and looking forward to the trip to my new home, Flathead County, Montana. There is so much to do to get on the road and so much to do once I’m home. I look forward to being there. I look forward to meeting all of the great residents of Flathead County.

I already see my family growing strong because of a strong, energetic, caring community. I look forward to the opportunity to continue my public service for all of you. And, I thank all of you, from the bottom of my heart, for the all of the incredible support and love you have shown my family.

Signed,

Pete Braun (Lisa Sheppard’s husband), Austin Texas