When I started thinking about my next post, it came to me in an email from Mr. Cuddles. A tribute to my parent's! As most of you know, Mr. Cuddles and I have had some recent, but exciting, life transitions. Within eight months, we planned a wedding, got married, and moved to Georgetown. We did some fun house updates, added to our aqua family, and continue to think about great things we can do and get involved in over the next year...while saving money and enjoying the "other" side of town, of course!
With all this fun and excitement came a bittersweet time in our lives. My wonderful parent's, who are so special to both of us - and are truly our friends - moved back to Georgia. I always knew this day would come, my dad being a native Atlantan and my mom's family having followed them there in the early 90's, but we were too spoiled to see it coming so soon. Too spoiled that we could wake up Sunday, call them and see if they wanted to meet us for "coof" (my parent's code word for their coffee dates), and spend an hour or so talking about the week's happenings. Too spoiled that when a week - or two - would pass without seeing them, we could rest assured that they were still right down the road in case we needed anything. Too spoiled that we were just beginning our lives and they were ready to leave. Thankfully, all these too spoiled thoughts were quickly flooded with reality, which is this: Carol and Charlie Harman will always be there for us. They will always come when we need them and will always call when they need us. They have been the best parent's any daughter could ask for and have already proven to be the best in-laws to Mr. Cuddles. As I expressed in a letter that I wrote to them on our wedding day, they are two very different people, who compliment each other to a T, and their 42-year marriage helped me determine what I was looking for in a life partner while always helping me remember that the right person would come along for me. They deserve every ounce of credit for molding me into the woman I am today, and leading me to Mr. Cuddles, and I will never be able to thank them enough for that.
First of all, Happy Birthday, Mom! For all of you that have the pleasure of knowing and loving her, my Mom is truly one of God’s angels. She is selfless, kind, caring, inclusive, and loving. She always puts me, my Dad, and others before herself – and while that’s admirable – I told her to remember to take care of herself as I need her around to be the best Gram Jr. any kid could ask for! My Mom has taught me to love any and everyone – no matter their shape, size or color - and helped me figure out what kind of mother I hope to be to a child one day. She allowed me to become my own person, encouraged me to do anything I ever wanted to try, but most importantly, she taught me how Mr. Cuddles deserves to be treated, and how to be a good wife, and I know that will speak volumes in our marriage.
My Dad is my hero. Always has been, always will be. He is one of the most humble people I know – to a fault sometimes if you ask me. His loyalty is unparalleled, but he is also sweet, funny, smart, thoughtful and privately emotional. Some of my favorite times – and memories – include just the two of us and I hope that he and I always maintain that father/daughter connection. There’s a special bond between a father and a daughter and I always keep that notion close to my heart. My Dad will be an amazing Grandaddy, just like my Grandaddy was to me, and I hope he always remembers that I fell in love with Mr. Cuddles because he shares many of my Dad's characteristics – many of them visible, many just below the surface – and I know that Mr. Cuddles will always love me, honor me, and cherish me just the way my dad loves my Mom and I. I am so proud of my Dad and his accomplishments and I wish him the very best in his new endeavor! Also, check out this tear-worthy floor speech Sen. Chambliss made regarding his departure...now a part of history in the Congressional Record. As Mr. Cuddles said, "It doesn't get much cooler than that."
Near or far, family ties are the ties that bind, and luckily, Mr. Cuddles and I have many more "family days" ahead with so many great people. The Harman's, Oehmen's (San Fran and CO), Skaife's, both sets of O'Connell's, Gram, Kitty, etc.
I'm skipping the recipe for this post to keep the message simple, but TGIF to all my friends and extended family. I love you all "bigger than you can!"
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