The very first niece to bless my life was born 18 years ago today! Isn't it amazing how time flies! I am not positive....18 years is a long time ago for my poor brain to remember...but I think you were living in Florida at the time. Wherever it was, it was a plane flight away and I just didn't have the means to make that trip. If I had it all to do over again, Lauren, I would have been on the first plane out of Portland the day you were born.
This was the first time I met you. You were 18 months old. I do remember the day I got to watch you while your mom and dad spent some time running errands and having alone time. I wanted to bad to show you off to a few of my friends. But I had gotten strict instructions not to take you in the car anywhere. So we stayed at my house and bonded. A couple years later, however, I was allowed to take you someplace. One stop I made was Wal-Mart where you were mistaken for my daughter. I've always said you take after me...great hair, great teeth, great smile, talents oozing out of every pore.... you get the picture.
I may not have gone to visit you as a baby but I sent several of the cutest little dresses. Had I been there in person I would have dressed you up in pink and lace and held you for hours. Somewhere in this house is at least one picture of you in a dress I sent. But could I find it? Nope. But trust me, you were adorable!
Fast forward a few years. And the first time you met Liam. It might appear you are the big scary cousin but that is how he looked in all the pictures at that age. I loved watching you with him. You were so patient and just seemed to love taking care of him. I think if you change your mind you will make a great mom someday! And I would jump on the first plane out of Portland to see my great- niece of nephew!
You have such a great smile! You take after me:) Well, I think you got your eyebrows from someone else. Mine are not that nice:)
And this picture is amazing! So beautiful! Sadly...this is the most recent one of you I have scanned into the computer. And I do not know how to get that facebook picture from there to here. So I will leave my readers to imagine in their minds what a gorgeous young woman you have become. Holding down a job while getting good grades. College plans and goals for the future. You make every member of your family very proud!
I know the distance has prevented us from having the close relationship I would have wanted. But the times we do see each other it is as though miles and miles don't separate us. That is nice. I love how politically conservative you are. Not many young people see through what is happening to our country. And you are not afraid to speak the truth! You are an inspiration and a blessing to our family.
Now for just a tiny bit of wisdom from your old aunt.....ease up on the gas pedal for heavens sake!!! We really like you and want to keep your around!
And try to listen to counsel from your mom and dad. They love you so much and want the best for you. Remember, they were 18 once as well. I know...hard to believe! But true. I bet if you turned to them right now and asked if they wish they had listened to their parents advice more as a teen they would give a resounding YES! I know I would! And even though times have changed...things are still the same in many ways.
So happy birthday sweet Lauren...my very first niece! I love you and pray the best for your life. That God will lead you in the perfect way He has for you!
I will leave you with a Laurenism......That time I had you, and we went to Wal-Mart, I wanted to get you a toy (buy your affection) and we walked down the toy isle you immediately latched onto a doll with a pacifier...you see, you were having a very hard time letting go of that one little area of your babyhood. As I led you away to other toys you plaintively whaled.."but I NEED that!!!" Again, strict instructions on what you could and could not have. Boy! Was your mom tough!!!!
I love you!
p.s.....your gift will be late...sorry:(
I know the distance has prevented us from having the close relationship I would have wanted. But the times we do see each other it is as though miles and miles don't separate us. That is nice. I love how politically conservative you are. Not many young people see through what is happening to our country. And you are not afraid to speak the truth! You are an inspiration and a blessing to our family.
Now for just a tiny bit of wisdom from your old aunt.....ease up on the gas pedal for heavens sake!!! We really like you and want to keep your around!
And try to listen to counsel from your mom and dad. They love you so much and want the best for you. Remember, they were 18 once as well. I know...hard to believe! But true. I bet if you turned to them right now and asked if they wish they had listened to their parents advice more as a teen they would give a resounding YES! I know I would! And even though times have changed...things are still the same in many ways.
So happy birthday sweet Lauren...my very first niece! I love you and pray the best for your life. That God will lead you in the perfect way He has for you!
I will leave you with a Laurenism......That time I had you, and we went to Wal-Mart, I wanted to get you a toy (buy your affection) and we walked down the toy isle you immediately latched onto a doll with a pacifier...you see, you were having a very hard time letting go of that one little area of your babyhood. As I led you away to other toys you plaintively whaled.."but I NEED that!!!" Again, strict instructions on what you could and could not have. Boy! Was your mom tough!!!!
I love you!
p.s.....your gift will be late...sorry:(