grace

Me. I was born in 1981. The summer of 1981 to be exact. Born into a family who already had three children, and went on to have five more after me. That's my foundation. Family. I'm the only one in my entire family with blue eyes. I took piano lessons throughout my childhood. It's something I really would love to get back to. I played in the woods from morning to night with my brothers. Because that's what being a kid was all about back then. Catching crawdads in the creek and following the water until it met the river. Afternoons of fishing at the pond. Even went hunting a couple times. Dress up was never quite my thing. Basketball was my sport, and I was good at it. My best friends were Heidi and Erin. I was scared senseless of the dark. Root beer floats in the summertime were a special treat. Summers were spent filling the freezer and pantry shelves with food for the winter. We had a slip-n-slide. Never did my family ever own a Nintendo. As much as we wanted one, we were told there were better things to do with our time. I was raised going to church on Sunday's. I have a belief in God and know that he's always been by my side. My bedroom had windows that went out to the roof, and I would sit there for hours wondering what my life would be like years down the road. Never did I think it would turn out the way it has. Fast forward ten years. Here I am, a mother. Rhyan. For six years he's been my life. He's my heart. He's my soul. Never did I think I was capable of loving someone so much. He brings out the best in me. He brings out things in me that remind me of my mother. That scares me. I try to be the best I can be for him, but sometimes I feel like I fail. I work hard to support myself and my son. I've been to Culinary School. I've worked at a bank. I've been a nanny, so I could be with him every minute possible. Everything I do is for him. It's a love you can't imagine. Most people don't understand what it is to be a mother. Anyone can have a child. It takes someone with goals, someone with insight, someone with courage to raise a child to be an amazing person. I will never quit. The future scares me sometimes. I love to run. I love to work out, but some days I'm just too tired to do it. Life is about changes and transitions. It takes a strong person to accept things that are dealt to them. I take life one day at a time. I don't wear much makeup and I don't wear high heels often. My boat shoes aka topsiders are my favorite shoes ever. Even if friends do laugh at them. I am blessed with friends. Many good friends. Laughter is the best medicine. I love to laugh. I love to make others laugh. I enjoy funny movies, but hate scary movies. I love my sunroof and the leather seats in my car. I eat lots of cereal. All kinds of cereal. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I enjoy cooking. Don't ask a person what their specialty is. Most people who have the ability to cook are able to cook more than one dish to perfection. I have never been given flowers. I would love to one day receive a bouquet, because I think they are just beautiful. And no, they aren't a waste of money. If a flower can brighten a person's day, it's money well spent. A white cotton tshirt is my favorite thing to sleep in. I like sleeping in on the weekends. I like rainy days when I'm in bed. Hate them when I'm not. I love the beach. I could sit and listen to the ocean for hours on end. One day I will live on the shore. I want to learn how to surf. And ski. And I want to skydive some day. I want to travel. I love Panthers football. And Duke basketball. The Yankees are my favorite baseball team. I have stong beliefs and I will stand by them until the end. I believe in true love. I believe there is a person out there for everyone. I don't think there's anything wrong with being picky. Love is something you work at every day. I will never settle for less. Ever. I never go to sleep angry. With anyone. I'm a very forgiving person, but I never ever forget. Live with no regrets. I tend to tell people the honest truth. Whether they like it or not. I enjoy being at home. I love the holidays. I listen to all kinds of music. Music has brought me through difficult times and made even the gloomiest of days a little brighter. I have the utmost respect for the military. All branches. Men and women alike. They are more brave than I will ever be. I love my job. My life is good. Really good. And I'm thankful for that. How I got so lucky? I'll never know... adam and haley's wedding