October 4, 2011

White Dog settled the WDA around us and then hopped up on the bed. "It is momma and dad's Got Each Other Day," she announced and then dove into Steve with a loving head butt. The others looked a bit confused so we shifted around to be able to hold everyone and I explained.

Thirty-one years ago in the freezing frost-painted forest in rural Michigan under wildly flapping handmade banners and wrapped in specially composed music much younger versions of us were surrounded by friends and family as we looked lovingly into each other's eyes (OK, there was a bit of terror, there, too)and promised to be connected--heart, head, body, and soul for evermore.

The journey since then has been one we have shared. It has been bumpy at times; scary, too. Harder work than we could have imagined. We have been tested and bruised; challenged and pushed to our limits. But we have always had each other and we have persevered and I would not alter one step of our course.

The road has also offered adventure, and surprises and wonder that took our breaths away. The joys and blessings have been bountiful and thankfully the Universe has been kind.

Every second of our time together has helped us to grow and our love has deepened as we have become the momma and dad that cuddle you now. You, Siku Marie, Mighty Quinn, Nuka Angel, Puff the Magical, YoYoMa and even Michael, are here as a result of that long ago Gotcha Day; for on that day we were launched on a rendezvous that would make us all a family. So today we celebrate US...all of us...and family...and always, love.

Steve had the perfect final words (after he kissed me until the pups got restless), "Bacon for breakfast?"