A Wise Man Once Taught Me

- What it truly means to love, serve, and respect your best friend

- How to stress a little less and enjoy life a little more

- That is always works out in the end. And he's right, it really does.

- What "right through the wickets", "can of corn", and "throwing heat" might mean

- To love an all American pastime

- That watching your husband become a father is a marvelous sight

- That enduring unimaginable pain, fatigue, and fear does not have to make you a bitter or cynical person

- That I can do things that seem impossible

- That we can truly learn from and be humbled by the past

- That you can do anything, even if you despise it, if it means your family is taken care of

- How to love the outdoors and the many adventures that lie within

- That supporting your children means driving 8 hours one way to watch a baseball game and then turning around and driving back home the same night

- Even if you don't desire it or feel capable of it, you accept any call that is given

- That if you really want to talk to someone you don't have to wait around for them to call

- What it truly means when they say the dog is man' s best friend

- When Christmas comes around and you hear the words "We really cut back this year," it is only an empty threat

- That true happiness can be found sitting around a campfire, playing whiffle ball, and watching movies in a bully barn

- That a funny email can make your whole day a little better

- The meaning of hard work (a.k.a. trying to mow the lawn a day after getting a pacemaker)

- That spending time with your sweetheart traveling the world on motorcycles or in a camp trailer makes for some great memories and pictures

- That Bear Lake is one of the happiest places on earth

- There is no need to hire a carpenter, painter, or plumber when you can do it all yourself

- That every choice is black or white. There is no room for grey in life.

- What it truly means to have faith and endure to the end

- How to keep your head up when everyone else is trying to drag you down

- That organization is NOT a bad thing

- How to mow a straight line, what constitutes a complete stop, and the best way to shoot a jump shot

***
I am so grateful that my relatively short life has been influenced by all of these great men. I am even more grateful that my daughter now has the opportunity to interact with and learn from each and every one of them.

I love them all very much and am thankful for each conversation we share, each moment we spend together, and each time a lesson they taught me helped me make the better choice in life.

***
I am so thankful for Ryan and for the wonderful father he is.
Stella is so lucky to have him as her daddy forever, because she still has a lot to learn and he is already the best teacher.
I had no doubt Ryan was going to be a great dad, but seeing him with his baby girl still amazes me each day.
We love you!!!