26 Years

Okay. When did I blink and turn into a 26-year-old? Seriously. I feel like I should still be a ten-year-old climbing trees in the pasture back home in Missouri. All in all, the past 26 years have been fabulous! I have been blessed to meet amazing people, travel and explore God's wondrous creation, and never, ever, not even for a minute, be without the love and support of family and friends.

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for giving me the gift of life. Without y'all (and God, of course), I would never have known the wonder of looking up at the Milky Way on a clear Montana night, the fun of splashing in the ocean and hunting for shells along the shore, the laughter during our Trivial Pursuit tournaments, the joy and sorrow that comes from loving our animals, the adventures found within the pages of books, the scent of the roses and wisteria in the front yard, and a host of other experiences that make life beautiful. Oh, and the taste of Mom's homemade chocolate pie. That in and of itself is worth living for. :)

Thank you, Shelby, for being my big sister, companion, tea party friend, partner in adventures, fellow dreamer, listener, advice-giver, and road trip buddy! When I entered this world 26 years ago today, I had a friend from the second my lungs filled with air. God knew we would need each other.

It's a wonderful life.