Archive for October, 2006

I met Kate a little over 9 years ago.  It was late August of 1997 and she had just returned from Texas where she had spent her summer break at home with her family.  Kate’s friends were having a party to celebrate her return, and since over the summer I had become friends with her friends, I was there (by the way, that’s not a picture of our first meeting…that’s some other lucky bloke with Kate back in her early years).

Wait a minute, let me backtrack…I actually met Kate a few months  before.  Well, I didn’t really meet her…a friend showed me a picture of her that he had in his wallet.  I remember being struck immediately by an overwhelming feeling and I said to myself that I would absolutely have to meet her one day.  No joke, I can play that moment out vividly in my mind as if it happened yesterday.  At the time I thought Kate was his girlfriend (a whole ‘nother story for another day), so I made a mental note and hoped she’d be available when she returned in the Fall.

So, fast forward to my friend Stephanie’s apartment when the doorbell  rang that chilly post-Summer evening.  I just happened to be closest to the door so I answered…and there she stood.  The girl from the picture, wearing a gorgeous flower blouse and the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.  I know it’s incredibly cliche but I mean it with all my heart when I say that I fell in love instantly.  Never before had I felt so immediately close to someone, perfectly comfortable in her presence as if we’d known each other forever.  After everyone had a chance to say hello and hugs were exchanged, we began our first conversation.  And the rest, of course, is history.

Happy Birthday Sweetie!  These last 9 years have been the most blessed years of my life, and I am so incredibly grateful that we were brought together to share it.  You have taught me so much about love and life, about friendship and family, and that with trust and perseverance, anything is possible.  I know you’re not terribly thrilled about being 30, but believe me, I’ve been doing it for almost 2 years now and it’s nuthin’.  When we find ourselves celebrating with Ava on her 30th Birthday, then I’ll give you permission to feel old.   I love you so much Chili…

-Dave

P.S.  Check out the comments section…we love you Kate!

 So how cool is Ava in this pic?  This is actually about a month old, but since we’ve taken so long to make an entry to the blog, I thought I’d start out with a photo of ava being fab.  What do you think about her neklace?  Nothing like showing off some style while sportin’ Chloe’s dog leash.  Now if only we could get it coated in platinum and encrusted in diamonds!

Ava’s Mom and Dad are super busy lately, by the way.  Ava’s Mom is working feverishly to get her big research project done at work.  And Ava’s Dad has less than 3 months before he has to find himself a J-O-B.  A lot of stress is about to crop up in a short amount of time, but we can handle it.  We’ve seen it all before.  Ain’t nothin’ in life gonna bring us down.  Just wait ’til you see how much dough we’ll be rollin’ in soon.  And then Ava will have her diamond encrusted, platinum Chloe leash to go along with her solid gold tricycle.