Maddie

Sixteen years ago today, she arrived tiny (7.5 weeks early), squirmy and wheezy.  After several days in the NICU she came home at 4 and a half pounds. Because she was so early, we were not prepared.  For several weeks she slept in a dresser drawer in our room. She loved pink which was a relief because of the testosterone surrounding her in the house.  She has a great sense of humor and thinks Mark Wahlberg and Garrett Hedlund  are hot.

She has developed into quite the young lady.  Sometimes I see her and it just takes my breath away.  Where did this beautiful young woman come from?  Where is the little girl who used to smack her brother in the head?

She is an amazing guitarist.  She has worked hard at it and is quite good and getting better everyday.  Recently I heard music coming from her room.  I thought it was a recording, but it was her.

She has a massive bunion and wart on one foot,  but it does not keep her from wearing overly high heels and running a half-marathon with her Dad. 

She worries that boys will not like her, I don't. I have other worries.

She is generous and she loves little kids.  She does not suffer fools and she loves "Say Yes to the Dress".   She is big on gouda, mangoes and pears.

You  really need to pay attention if a sentence starts with, "I'm not gonna lie...."

The other day she called to tell me God had answered a prayer she had been praying  for awhile.  I said, "So do you believe there really is a God"?  She responded, "Yeah and He is pretty cool, too".

Her Mother had to convince me that Jesus wanted us to have another baby.  "I'm not sure", she said,  if our family is complete".

It wasn't.  You are our joy.

Maddie, Happy Birthday!

Your Dad loves you and thinks you are a total babe.