Your Mommy

Now I will attempt to embarrass and educate my boys all at once. Hopefully they will read this when they are young enough to find it too mushy and old enough to learn something from it.

Ok, let me tell you boys about your Mom and what she means to me.

A long, long, long time ago(I know...I know Cindy, I am older than you) your Mommy was born. She was the only girl your Grandma-Ma and Poppy ever had. Now, I know what you're saying, "What about Uncle Jarrod?" Trust me, he's a man. Anyway, she was a beautiful little girl. You can see how beautiful she was in pictures but that doesn't do it justice. Just look in the mirror, you'll see her beautiful brown eyes staring right back at you.

Mommy liked to dance and even took lessons so she could get really good at it. She was a great dancer. We'll watch those movies one day, if I ever get them transferred to DVD. As she grew up, she got better and better at it, and danced in front of lots of people. She made your Grandparents very proud of her.

Your Mother was also a smart little girl. She did well in all her subjects at school, especially socializing. She met a little girl named Amanda, and they wanted to grow up and be teachers, and that's just what they did. But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

When your Mommy was 13 or so something happened that would change her life forever. She met me! Oh, what a day that must have been for her. To meet someone as handsome and debonaire as me. Gosh, was she lucky. Yeah, right. No, it was me who was lucky. My friend Scott introduced me to her, and I am forever grateful that he did. Scott, wherever you are...well, you know.

Your Mom and I didn't actually start dating until a few years later. We had the chance to become really good friends first. The day I asked your Mom to be my girlfriend was a day I will remember all of my life. Stop laughing..you'll know what I mean one day.

We dated all through high school. She was a high-achieving student and cheerleader. I was mediocre at best in my academic career. Except I excelled in English and History...go figure. Your mom was such a cool girl, I pray you bring home someone like her. I pray for the girl if you don't. Your Mommy is very protective of you.

We graduated together way back in 1995. After graduation she went on to college and I went on to well, whatever. We'll discuss that later. She did really well in college and even made it on some "Dean" guy's list every semester. Whoever he was, he thought himself important enough to make a list of good students.

Then, on Christmas Eve, 1997, I asked your Mom to marry me. Suprisingly, she said,"Yes". We got married a little over 2 years later when I was 22 and she was 21. She was so beautiful walking down that aisle. I got a little wobbly, but you know me, I'm Joe Cool. I kept it together for the most part. We said,"I do" and our life together officially began. By the way, the reception was the best party I've ever been to. Even your birthday parties..sorry guys.

Years passed, we worked..blah, blah, blah...then you guys came along. Not at the same time, but almost. Really. I was never a true believer in a higher power until you guys were born. I got to see two miracles happen in front of my eyes. That was proof enough for me. I'm on board God, whoever you are.

Your Mom changed when you guys came into our lives. Calm down, change can be good. Remember that. She became a Mother, the greatest thing you can do in life. Unfortunately guys, we have to settle for second greatest, but being a Daddy is pretty darn cool too.

Now, you guys can read all about your exploits on these other pages. On to the juicy stuff. I'm going to share with you, learn from it.

I love your Mom. I love her right down to her abnormally long toes. Love is a weird thing guys. It can make you do things. Odd things. Scary things. Beautiful things. It can make you feel the highest highs and the lowest lows. Sometimes you'll feel like you are literally floating, other times like you're drowning. I have felt it all with your Mom. She has taken my hand and guided me through some real rough patches in my life. There have been times when I didn't treat your Mom as nicely as I should have. Times when I tried to turn away from her love. You know though, her love wouldn't let that happen. Her love brought me back and it keeps me here. It will always keep me here. Your Mother has the willpower to move mountains. Her faith is stronger than any force of nature. Don't test it boys, you will lose.

So, that's your Mom in a nutshell. There is so much more to tell you, but some things are better found out on their own. Know this though boys; nothing you ever do, and nothing anyone does to you, will ever stop her love for you. It will be there through the darkest storms and it will guide you to the top of every mountain. Trust in it. I know, because that's how she loves me.