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Cochran's mom: "My family has always described me as not having a heart, but when I saw him, and as I got close to him, I was in tears and so was he and it was just such a beautiful moment to see him after 35 days. I couldn't take my hands off of him." Paraphrase: Have both been huge fans since day 1. Being out here is surreal. A dream come true for both of us. We talked some strategy at the BBQ. Felt like old times. Got the impression he has re-invented himself this time around. Played a more active role in strategizing and making decisions. Feels good about it. No mention of thank you to Brenda.
eddie's mom: Very proud to be Eddie's mother. He looked like a mountain man. Never seen him like that. He looked so dirty, but so good. Chocolate chip cookies will be awaiting him when he gets home. "He's such a smart kid."
Once in a lifetime opportunity to get to experience this with Eddie. No mention of thank you to Brenda.
edward T fox junior son of edward T fox the third: Never seen Eddie looking like the wolfman. He's the same ol' happy guy that I always see. He's one of a kind. Blessed to have him for a son. Luckiest guy in the world to be Eddie's dad. Amazing experience...a beautiful thing. No mention of thank you to Brenda.
erik's brother: Erik is so skinny. His brother is kinda boring too. And also talks about food. Never seen Erik eat that much. He needed that food. Awesome Erik got to spend this time with both brothers. Once in a lifetime experience. No mention of thank you to Brenda.
Sherri's husband: Owns seasons of Survivor and has watched them multiple times. Huge fan. Lost it when he heard her voice. So good to see her and touch her. Talks about how hard being apart has been. They spend a lot of time together normally so it's been difficult. He started a journal to help himself cope. It's over 100 pages now. Stoked to be competing on Survivor with Sherri vs. people he is fans of. "This was a gift from her to me." (Actually, it was a gift from Brenda.) So great to be able to experience this as a family. No mention of thank you to Brenda.
erik's older brother: Erik's hair really bushy and cool. Nourishing relationship with his younger brother...guide him and instruct him. yada yada. Best friends. Perfect that he got to compete with Erik in a challenge. A chance for their family to shine. (They lost to a skinny girl and her skinny dad.) But overall it ended up better for them. FINALLY...some gratitude. "The sacrifice that both of the girls made was really great. I thank them for that. Because of their sacrifice, i got to spend time with both of my brothers out here." (Dawn getting some credit here. Not sure she was really on board with the decision. Her bamboo slamming seemed to suggest not.) Sounds like Erik sugar coated his love for the experience he is having. No mention of his suicidal climb up the palm tree apparently.
cochran's dad: "I am Jack Cochran. I am Cochran's dad." That tickled me a bit. LOL is detailing making a pyramid of the charcoal and waiting till they turned gray in order to BBQ the food. Very clinical sounding. When the crew arrived, they ate them very expeditiously and ravenously...it was dramatic. (this guy is gold) Very proud of Cochran. He's grown a lot. Surivvor has been very good for him as far as his emotional and social growth. He's still very sweet and innocent guy in many ways, but he's become more practical...maybe bordering on cynical at times...so that's all good preparation for life. (I hear Cochran in his dad's cadence.) He takes after both parents in many ways...they even argue about who he takes after the most...which is a sign that they care about him and have had an influence on him. No mention of thank you to Brenda.
sherri's son: Talks about cooking the food for the players ahead of time. Mom leaped into his arms. (Kid is beaming.) Goes on about how excited Sherri was about everything...ice, best cola ever, napkins, towels, everything. Realize that you take advantage of the simple things. Like forks. Mom lost a lot of weight. It was quite shocking. Very proud of his mom. Speechless about how far she has gotten. She's very charismatic. "I think she has quite a strong chance."