Dear Todd,

I always knew I was going to marry you...when I was little I named my dog Todd because I knew that was going to be the name of the prince that was going to marry me and take me away forever and make me the happiest girl on earth.  Through my awkward teen years and my turbulent twenties, I never lost hope that I would find you...while ours was surely not a fairytale meeting (drunk off our asses at the world's cheesiest night club), it was meant to be.  I truly believe there are no coincidences.  We were both there by chance that night and I almost lost your number in the parking lot.  Then there was Rob answering the phone and me being over an hour late to our first date.  Persistence has been the theme of our relationship and I believe it keeps us going.  We want to believe in each other.  We do believe in each other.  Each time an obstacle comes our way, we take each others hands and bravely face the dragon head on.  In eleven years we have had four children, moved five times, lived with family, gone through jobs, friends, and pets.  Each time a problem pops up, you are the first person that I run to because I know that with you by my side, I can face anything.  I love raising our children with you, I love the life that we have together, and most of all, I love you.  You are my sun and moon and stars, you make my life beautiful.  I have always loved you, and I always will.  Happy Eleventh Anniversary!

Family Dynamics

                                                                
Family is a fickle entity, you can never predict what relationships will thrive and which will unravel.  This past year saw an end to some of my familial relationships and a new beginning with others.  I always wanted to have a big family, envying those commercials of  big families around the holiday dinner table.  I wanted my kids to have oodles of cousins and those great aunts that kiss you on the cheek with their bright red lipstick while knocking you out with their overwhelming perfume.  But circumstances have dictated otherwise, and Todd and I are soon to find ourselves alone in Charlotte.  At first I was really upset, but the more that I think about it, the more OK I am.  I am simply going to build, from the ground up, the type of family I always wanted to have.  Todd and I already have a strong relationship with our children (so I'm really hoping we don't get the "nursing home" treatment...) and my marriage is equally strong.  I have a strong sense of tradition and we already have lots of little traditions concerning the holidays that the kids all look forward to.  While I was extremely sad to learn that our treasured Christmas decorations were lost in the move, I have decided to look forward to a wonderful time creating new memories and new keepsakes with the kids.  I'm looking forward and seeing our family grow and having the kids celebrate holidays with their wives and husbands with Todd and I, all together, just like the commercials.  And that thought comforts me.