Dear Graysie,

Today was my first day back to school since finding out about you. I needed to take a couple of days to master faking a smile and acting like my world did not just fall apart. I woke up extra early, put on my favorite dress (black silk with red roses), and made sure my makeup was flawless. If everyone was going to be staring, they might as well stare at me when I look my best.

When I went to get in my car I discovered someone had wrote “OREO”, “WHORE”, and “SLUT” across my windows. The “OREO” comment was directed at the fact that you’re biracial. I cleaned most of it off so it was at least unreadable before I left. I really just want things to get back to normal.

When I arrived I plastered my best “I’m fine and life is great” smile across my face and walked in with my head held high. I was terrified of what this day was going to bring, but no one else needed to know that. I kept repeating in my head, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Immediately, I was confronted with my peers giving me looks of hate, pity, curiosity, and a few smiles of encouragement. (Those smiles only came from a hand full of friends.) I had thought all about how this pregnancy would change my body, my future, my life; but I hadn’t thought about how it would drastically change the way others treated me.

I wandered from class to class numbly taking in the murmur of gossip that engulfed the halls as I walked down them. Everyone knew, even the teachers. I was asked to come to office 4^th hour. I had no idea why. Were they going to give me detention for being pregnant? I wished they would just expel me and let me finish high school in some “alternative” school. I wish they still sent girls away to have their babies with nuns in unwed mother homes. Everyone could think I went to visit and “Aunt” and then I would avoid all of this tortuous ridicule. They called me into the vice principal’s office (I have never even had a detention before). He told me there was talk of some girls planning to beat me up. I stared at him with shocked confusion. I have never been in a fight; I don’t even know how to fight. He told me I could start coming to school later and leaving my classes earlier to avoid running into any of these girls in the halls. Those girls can give me a black eye or a fat lip, it won’t touch the pain I’m going through inside.

When classmates ask what my plans are for you, I tell them I’ll be giving you up for adoption. Most seem very uncomfortable with my answer. They look at me like I’m heartless, selfish, or strange. Hardly anyone thinks it’s a good idea, or I’m making the right decision. But I don’t care. I know I’m not ready for you in any way! We both deserve so much more!

I saw a group of pregnant girls at my school today. They were smiling, laughing, proudly showing off their swollen belly, and discussing baby names; it disgusted me! How can they be happy about this? Don’t they realize their life is over? I get making the best out of a situation, but I can’t be excited about you. How can they? Am I missing some mother gene? One of the pregnant girls even came up to me and asked if I was going to be in the pre-parenting class with all the other mom’s to be. I looked at her, stunned, and said, “Absolutely not! I’m not going to be this baby’s parent.” I think she hates me now. I hate me now!

My only relief from this unrelenting nightmare is sleep. Every day I can’t wait to crawl in bed, go to sleep, and forget all about you. How can something the size of an apple cause so much trouble? Maybe tomorrow will be better. Now it’s time to go to sleep. Thank God! Can’t I just sleep through the next 5 months?

Love,

Amanda

Dear Graysie

Wow! We are having a huge baby boom at church!

We belong to a very small church that daddy has gone to for many years. Even though their is only about sixty people who attend, we are expecting 8 new babies. It seems like every time I turn around someone else is announcing they are pregnant. Some of our friends who have much older kids, and have announced for years that they were done having children, are even pregnant. It seems a little strange to be the only one not expecting a baby. I almost feel like an outsider.

I keep smiling and rubbing it in that I don't have morning sickness like they do. I keep saying I can have as much caffeine as I want. I relish in the fact that I no longer need to be taking the giant prenatal vitamins they are all gagging down each morning. I'm not tired, I get to "have my body back", I'm not nauseated, no monthly doctor's appointments, and many other positives of not having to be pregnant.

Even though I keep smiling I have a definite tugging inside telling me that maybe we rushed our decision to not ever have any more kids. We really made an important decision in a very short amount of time. A decision I am worried I will regret sooner than later. Funny that my conversations have nothing to do with not having more children, but instead they have everything to do with not being pregnant again. I somehow have a sudden burning desire to be a mommy again.I keep putting these feelings behind me every time they crop up because I assume I am just wanting to be part of the pregnant crowd at church. As much as I am trying to get the thought of having another child out of my head for some reason it just keeps cropping up. I don't know why, its a bit silly since Mihya is still an infant and daddy and I have already decided we will forever be a family of five. I never acknowledge that the only way to be a mommy again without being pregnant is through adoption.

Right now all I can do is secretly regret what I am now considering to be a hasty, poorly planned decision. Little do I know this is just another preparation of my mind for you.

I love you forever!

Mommy

Dear Graysie,

I knew I was pregnant for about 2 hours when I decided it was imperative that I tell my mother. I was sitting in Lauren’s kitchen in a daze when suddenly I thought: I NEED TO TELL MY MOM! I frantically told Lauren we had to go to my parent’s house. We jumped into my blue Cavalier for the 8 minute drive to tell my mom the news I knew would destroy her. The loneliness of my new reality was starting to creep in and replace the fogginess that filled my brain.

I have always been very close with my mom. I know she loves me, I know she would keep me safe, I know she wants the best for me, and I know I can trust her with anything. Whether it’s a big fight with a friend, or a teacher that had treated me unfairly, my mom has always made things better. I was hoping this time wouldn’t be so different; maybe she could swoop in and fix this massive mess.

As we pulled up to my parents house I realized my mom’s car was not there. I walked in and numbly asked my dad when my mom would be home. He said it would be shortly and Lauren and I retreated to my bed room. The feeling to purge this horrid secret became more and more unbearable as I waited for her to return. As soon as I heard her car pull into the drive way I rushed downstairs and met my mom at the door way. I calmly asked her to come up to my room for a chat. “Chat” was sooooo not a good word for the heartrending conversation we were about to have….

My mom walked into my lavender painted bedroom and sat on the window seat. As soon as the door was securely shut the hopelessness of my situation hit me and uncontrollable sobs wracked my body. I cried out “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Please, please don’t hate me. Please don’t hate me, I’m pregnant. I’m so sorry. Please don’t hate me.”

I could handle her being angry. I could handle her being disappointed. But I couldn’t handle her hating me as much as I hate myself. She held me tight and promised she could never hate me. I could see the pain in her eyes, but I know it’s not pain for herself; it’s pain for me and what I have and will have to suffer through.

After I finished tearfully informing her all the information I know about you, we figured we have about 5 months until you’re here. My mom brought up giving you up for adoption. That way I can give you the life that you deserve and I still get the life that I deserve. In about 5 months everything will go back to exactly as it was before. I will graduate high school, go on to college, and end up with some amazing career. I will never have to become the single teenage mom who survives off welfare and lives in my parent’s basement. In 5 months I can forget all about you and this atrocious nightmare.

I can survive the next 5 months. I will get through this, I HAVE TO GET THROUGH THIS!

Love, Amanda

P.S I am so exhausted! I’m spending the night at Lauren’s house tonight; I don’t want to be there when my mom tells my dad. After we got back in my car I remembered I forgot my backpack. Before I opened the front door, I saw my mom collapse into violent sobs. My 2 hour old secret has destroyed her. I have to keep telling myself that this is only temporary. Only 5 months and then everything will be exactly the same, right?

Dear Graysie

It's our first trip to Disney World. I have wanted to bring your sisters and brother for what seems like ever.

We are staying for two weeks and although it rains everyday, we cherish our time spent together. The trip is so much more than we have imagined it would be. Some of our best memories are of riding rides and watching shows in the pouring warm rain. It is the "perfect" vacation for our family because Disney is so child-centered. Daddy and I have brought Grandy and Grampy with us as another set of eyes, ears and helping hands but also as a "thank you" for how involved they are in our lives.

Mihya is just 7 months old and we are bombarded with trying to maneuver her car seat and stroller while at the same time having strollers for Kaidon and Emma. The walking is a bit much for even the adults. We are staying on property so we ride the Disney transportation to and from the parks daily and each day we try and leave with less and less to make our trips more manageable. We make a decision that this trip will be our yearly family vacation. We know that each year this time will be a cherished event we all look forward to.

Frequently daddy announces how great it will be next year when things will be easier without as many necessities to bring along. Mihya will be eighteen months old by then and able to use a smaller stroller and eat table food and all the other things that come with age. For some reason, each time he relishes in these thoughts I secretly am a little disheartened at the thought of our "show being over". A nagging feeling of sadness overwhelms me but I never mention this to daddy because I don't want him to think I am not grateful for the three kids I already have. I love this time in my life and because of that I am not going to worry about what I don't have. Right now, I'm focusing on the great family that I have and sharing in some great memories.

Little do I know now that next year at this time I will have another sweet baby girl to call my own and to spoil with her first experience of Disney World.

I love you forever,

Mommy

Dear Graysie,

Monday came too fast! The 2:55 school bell also came too fast. EVERYTHING is coming TOO FAST. It’s time to face what I had been trying to deny for months! I drive my blue Cavalier to the unremarkable office complex that holds the free clinic. I feel dirty even being in this parking lot. I didn’t even know things like “free clinics” existed until yesterday. I sign in and lie about not having insurance. A pudgy nurse ushers me to a lab where they take blood from my arm. I’m taken to Room #3 to wait for my test results. The nurse comes back 10 minutes later and politely tells me I’m pregnant. I politely smile back and say “Thank you”.

I drive to Lauren’s house. My mind is blank. I calmly tell Lauren I’m pregnant. I would rather tell her I have cancer, I’m being arrested, or joining a cult, anything besides being pregnant. I’m not a dumb girl. I’m not romanticizing the thought of being pregnant or having a baby. I don’t think anything good can come out of this. I do not love this baby, I do not want this baby, but I will have this baby. What I do after I have this baby, I don’t know.

Love, Amanda

Dear Graysie:

I'm feeling very guilty right now. I'm feeling guilty that I have three kids and am absolutely enjoying parenting when so many of our friends have tried and tried and are not getting pregnant. I know I shouldn't feel this way. I know I need to let their ridicule of my consecutive pregnancies roll off my back, and yet I still can't help but feel guilty.

One set of friends has gotten pregnant multiple times and yet they continue to lose the pregnancies. They cry every time they are around your brothers and sisters and it makes me not only feel guilty but also I have stopped wanting them around. I haven't ever experienced losing a baby and I hope I never have to. This same set of friends is thinking they may adopt and yet they continue to "shop" birth parents like they are God himself trying to form their "perfect" family. They want a baby who will look just like them, I say often that I am sure daddy never guessed he'd have pale skinned, blue eyed kids and yet he does. God just gives you what he wants to give you and it makes me sad for them that they may be missing out on the baby God intends for them.

Another set of our friends is convinced they deserve children more than we do and for that they are bitter towards us. They continually say it's not fair that they don't have a baby and we do because they have done things "right". I guess they don't think we have somehow? I suggest adoption to them and they tell me they could never be a baby "stealer", my heart hurts that they may miss out on parenting all together.

Many more friends struggle and many more times I suggest adoption to them. Some of their answers are disheartening,some angering, some selfish and at this point we don't have a clue you will be in our lives. I'm defensive of their answers and I don't even know why. I will use all of these feelings and revelations when we finally find out about you and decide to adopt you. I will know how they "really" feel about adoption and bi-racial kids before I end up putting you, our spunky girl, in the care of someone who looks at you so differently than I'd ever want for you.

So, right now I am feeling guilty and yet in the long run I will be ever so grateful for these times of heart to heart talks with the ones who are closest to us. Grateful, because in a matter of months we will need to know who is 100% supportive of one of the biggest decisions of our lives.

I love you forever,

Mommy

Dear Graysie,

It’s mid October 2001, homecoming weekend! I’m so excited, homecoming is my thing! Actually, I could care less about the big game, the dance, or even my date. The “thing” that excites me the most about homecoming is the preparation. Finding the perfect dress, the right shoes, complimentary accessories, enchanting makeup, and a dazzling up-do thrills me to the core! My dress is amethyst colored sequins from head to toe. Even hanging in my closet the dress looks stunning!

My date’s running a couple minutes late and that sends me into tears. Why in the world am I crying over this? I precisely place a q-tip in the corner of my eyes to catch the tears before they can reach my eye liner or fake lashes. I look at myself in the mirror as I try to stop the salty tears. The sad eyes looking back at me know my life is probably going to be brutally altered come Monday. But tonight is not about that! Tonight is about looking glamorous, going to a fancy restaurant, having fun with my friends, and being a normal teenager for one more night….

Love,

Amanda

Dear Graysie

I am happy being a mommy. I have wanted this for so long. In my junior high yearbook we listed what we'd be doing in 10 years and I said I would have a family with a lot of kids. Three is a lot considering most of our friends don't have any yet and some aren't even married.

I am busy at home. I have very high expectations for our house, your brother and sisters, and for myself. I have the mind set that I only have one chance so I am going to do this "perfect". I read, do crafts and spend countless hours playing with the kids.

We also have the business out of our house. Daily we have a houseful of people who are here working. They are upstairs and in and out all day. When the kids nap, I go help with the business. Most people think I am crazy and yet, I secretly know it is good because I actually have adult interaction when most stay at home moms don't. I am part of something "bigger" although my first priority is being a mommy.

When we were pregnant with Mihya we decided she'd be our last baby. Not because we don't enjoy having kids, just that mommy has to be on bed rest for at least 4 months of each pregnancy and I don't think that is fair to the other kids. Mommy is a little sad that we can't keep having babies, because I love having them around and I love that I have bonding time nursing them. I realize it's the best choice though, just because it's hard on everyone when I am pregnant.

Never do I think about adoption for us, Graysie. I mean, we have three kids. We can get pregnant. Adoption was for the people in the world who couldn't conceive right? Or the people who could only have boys so they could get their long awaited little girl. Adoption was for the kids who were in the system and needed a "good" family, it was our duty as competent adults to help right? Adoption wasn't for us, we didn't fit in that criteria. We didn't "need" more children. Never did the thought cross my mind, never did I dream about adopting. Never.

I love you forever,

Mommy

Dear Graysie,

It was just suppose to be a night with good friends and great music but it all went terribly wrong… The concert was so much fun! Way better than I expected!! After it ended, we headed back to my friend’s house to spend the night. I was already in bed when my friend said there was someone in the basement that wanted to talk to me. I was not expecting it to be the person it was, the person I only knew by name. My naïve 17 year old self walked into a sickening situation I couldn’t get out of. It left me feeling empty, disgusted, dirty, humiliated, confused, terrified, and then very very numb.

I have a secret that I’ve kept from just about everyone except Lauren. I’ve been trying very hard to forget that horrible night, but I just can’t. Now, I fear I will have a reminder of that horrible incident forever, you.

Could I really be pregnant though? I did throw up my cereal one morning, but that was just once. Is that morning sickness? My periods can sometimes be irregular; I’ve skipped a month before. Isn’t that normal? My stomach is still flat. Wouldn’t I be showing? I don’t have weird cravings. Wouldn’t I be super hungry? I just don’t think it’s possible. But this nagging fear won’t go away!

It’s already been 3 months. I really just need to find out the truth, but I’m too scared to face it. How could God let this happen to me? Why did that night ever happen to me? Why didn’t I just stay home like my mom wanted me to? WHY, WHY, WHY?

I’ll wait a couple more weeks. I’m sure my period will return. I just need to relax and stop worrying. God wouldn’t let this happen to me. This is just like a nightmare, I’ll wake up soon. Right?

Love, Amanda

Dear Graysie,

My days are spent wiping bottoms, wiping tears, wiping boogies, wiping counters, wiping floors, wiping windows….well….pretty much you can sum up my life at this point as wiping! I love my time taking care of your brother and your two sisters.

Since we've moved into our house, I have met so many new friends. So many neighbors who are going to be a huge part of our lives. Most of them have kids who are Emma's age and we are learning the art of "the play date".

Often our house is filled with neighbor kids. Mommy loves having them here, not only because they keep your sister entertained but also because I am glad we are doing what we planned with this house. I feel like we have made the neighborhood kids feel welcome and loved inside these walls. I find out how welcome they feel when one of them walks in the house one day and I am not yet fully dressed. She talks to me like it is normal to see her neighbor undressed and I don't tell her it's not because I don't want her embarrassed. We have some tough times with the neighborhood kids at times too. Some mean words said, some hurt feelings, some leaving each other out. I must admit that sometimes I don't handle things well and I have to try and do better next time. At other times I am a pro and feel like I am mastering having a house full of kids.

What I don't realize while I am kissing other peoples children's owies and wiping their noses and helping them get on and off the potty is that my heart is being softened for you. For you, my brown eyed girl, who looks so different from your sisters and brother. For you, who didn't grow inside my tummy, but in Amanda's. My heart is being molded to care for something that I did not have a part in creating. I am learning to look into the face of a child who has hurt feelings and find compassion, even though I don't see my own eyes looking back at me. My days spent with the neighborhood kids are so much more than entertaining Emma. Yes, they are so much more important than that, but I won't realize it for quite some time.

I love you forever!

Mommy

Dear Graysie,

I’m a typical teenage girl growing up in a picture perfect Midwest suburb. I have a great family. My mom and dad always put us first. I feel safe, secure, and loved. I’m the oldest of three. I have two younger brothers; Josh and Ben. We’re a close family. I like going shopping with my mom. I love when we all go out to lunch after church. Vacations with my family are always a blast. I’m pretty lucky in the family department!

I enjoy school and do well in most of my classes. My favorite subject is English. I devour books. The first book I ever read was Ramona the Mouse. I remember reading Matilda by Rohld Dahl over and over. I had to buy 3 copies because the binding kept wearing out.

I’ve been a cheerleader through jr. high and most of high school. I like being a part of something. Every summer we go to cheerleading camp. It’s so much fun; like a slumber party for 4 days! Most of my good friends are also cheerleaders. I love the uniforms, big bows, high pony tails, and face glitter. Practice is always a big social session sprinkled with tumbling, dancing, jumping, and building. (pyramids, tosses, throws) Most of my coaches are like big sisters to me. I think my mom would of rather me been on dance team (after all I took 10 years of dance lessons), but cheerleading is a better fit. Performances are the best! Pep assemblies, competitions, half time…..I adore it all!

Being nice to everyone is important to me. I always end up befriending the person who had no friends. I guess I have a soft spot for the underdog. I have lots of acquaintances, but I’m always cautious when choosing close friends. I can count my “true” friends on one hand. I don’t think being guarded on who you let into your life is a bad thing. Girls can be fickle, petty, viscous, and jealous; especially in high school.

My best friend is Lauren. We love to go tanning, shopping, and eat BBQ sauce with bread. (Weird, right?) This summer we’ll spend most of our time at the pool, at the mall, or probably just hanging out at Lauren’s house. Lauren has a boyfriend, his name is Ross. He is always around when he’s not working. I like Ross, but sometimes I wish he didn’t spend so much time with us.

Church is every Wednesday night and Sunday morning. I’m the only girl in youth group who’s not homeschooled. If anyone has any questions on makeup or fashion I’m the girl to ask. At youth church camp I do makeovers, color and style hair, put together outfits and answers questions about boys. It’s a lot of fun! I’ll be going to youth camp the 3^rd week of July. My church friends are so much easier to get along with.

I’m eager to start senior year! My classes will be super easy. There is so much to look forward to: senior pictures, spring break in South Padre, homecoming, a later curfew, parties, and graduation! I think I might graduate at semester (December). Maybe I’ll spend 2^nd semester taking some classes at Community College. That should help prepare me more for next year.

Then in the fall of 2002 I will be off to KU. I’m going to live in a dorm my first year with Lauren as my roommate. We’re planning on joining a fabulous sorority! My major is going to be either interior design or broadcast journalism. I just know college is going to be amazing!

Only one thing can mess up my perfect plans: you.

Love, Amanda

Dear Graysie:

We just moved into our house on Aberdeen in July. We love it here. I am pleasantly surprised that their are so many young families. We moved for many reasons. The main reason is that our last house was much too small. Daddy's business is growing and so is his staff and we couldn't house them in the tiny basement office anymore. Plus, Your big sister, Mihya, was just born unexpectedly in March. With those two factors weighing significantly on our cramped space we began looking for a new house.

When we began looking for our new house I had just a couple of concerns. Number 1, I wanted to be sure we picked a house in a good school district because we have three kids to raise. Number 2, I wanted it to be a "real" house. I didn't want some big showy thing that looked like we shouldn't be touching anything in it. I wanted to be able to be a "family" wherever we were and to have other people comfortable when they came to visit. What we ended up with was so much more than we ever dreamed.

Graysie, we ended up in a 10 bedroom house! I love this house. It is barn style and has no vaulted ceilings. It is basic and laid back and conformable and welcoming. We have a space upstairs with plenty of sunlight for the office staff, instead of a basement. We have a room for each of your brother and sisters a guest room, toy room, craft room, and some empty rooms we are not yet sure what we will do with at this point, but that is all in Gods big plan isn't it?

We spend time praying each time we think about this house, our prayers go something like this: "God, please let us house people in our home who need a place to stay, please use us God for the people who need a welcoming place to call home or a place to get away from what they are worried about. God, use us if you have someone who just needs to feel like they have a family and God please give us an open mind and heart to not use this house for selfish gain, but to glorify you" I'm not sure how many times we said that prayer Graysie, but what I do know is that it worked!

I love you forever!

Mommy

Dear Graysie:

Daddy and I are at church camp. It is August of 2001 and we have taken Emma, Kaidon, and Mihya to Horn Creek for the first time. We are with our good friends, Randy and Ginger, and a few other couples they have invited too. Although we've never been as a family, daddy grew up going to this camp with his youth group. We are so excited to spend a week as a family and mommy is secretly thrilled that daddy can't get a cell phone signal because that means we will actually get uninterrupted time from his business.

The days spent at church camp are pretty laid back and relaxing. Every family has their own agenda and seem to be enjoying their time here. Some families this is their first time here and others I can tell are regulars. The pool is broken down and is freezing and your brother and sisters are not happy about that at all. We have spent time hiking, climbing trees, bowling, playing with the basketballs, horseback riding and enjoying each others company. We have driven into town a few times and looked at the shops, but for the most part we have just spent time together.

In the evenings all of the families are brought together. We eat dinner in a big room with tables and then we do our evening church service. We have the option of putting your brother and sisters in the nursery, but mommy thinks they will enjoy the worship music so I keep them with us. Afterwards, there are so many evening activities to enjoy and we stay as long as we can, which isn't that long because Mihya is only 5 months old, and then we go back to our cabin for the night.

By the end of the week so many of the faces that were unfamiliar to us in the beginning are now referred to as "friends". We've talked to almost each person at camp and heard their "story" of how they came to know Horn Creek. One person has my attention that I realize I never spoke to though. I don't know why I'm drawn to this beautiful teenage girl, but something inside is telling me I should have connected with her. Why? I wonder to myself, what would we even have in common?

The answer to that question is so much bigger than I can imagine right now.

I love you forever!

Mommy

Dear Graysie,

It’s August 2001, time for my family’s annual trip to Horn Creek Church Camp. I’ve been going since before I was born. (In fact, I’m pretty sure I was conceived on the way there.) I cherish my time spent in the mountains. One week is never long enough. I hope when I’m 18 I can get a summer job there.

My favorite day of the year is the Saturday we drive to Horn Creek. (It’s better than Christmas!) The scenic drive has breath taking views of the mountains, valleys, and forests. It signals the beginning of a much anticipated week of family fun. As soon as we turn on to Macy Lane I roll down my window and take the deepest breath possible. The crisp piney air is irresistible. As soon as the minivan is parked I make sure my feet are the first ones to touch the dirt packed ground. It’s just some quirky ritual that I try and do every year. Honestly, Colorado is one of the loves of my life. I love Horn Creek likes it’s a dear family member.

We haul our luggage to our rustic room located in the mini lodge. I’m making my brother carry my bags! I’m anxious to get unpacked and see who made it back this year. I hike up around the semi circle of cabins with my brothers trailing close behind. I spot cousins, aunts, uncles, and old family friends. The dinner bell rings and we make our way to the dining hall. I spot a young couple with three adorable children. Their baby resembles a delightfully chubby cherub. Their daughter and son, both toddlers, are charmingly cute and well behaved. I quickly dismiss this sweet family as probably more friends of my cousins, Randy and Ginger. Every year they bring new friends with endearing little families. I’m only 17, I have nothing in common with these people. But something about them is making me want to befriend them. Maybe I should get to know them. Maybe I should offer to help out with their kids. But wait, there’s Trenton from last year. We’ve wrote letters back and forth for months. I’m so glad he’s here!

I spend my days hiking, horseback riding, swimming, rafting, and enjoying all the activities the mountains had to offer. At night, I attend round up (church) and then play card games or go bowling. It really is a week of squeaky clean fun. Every night at round up that charismatic little family catches my eye. My mom thinks their baby is cute as a button and even holds her one night during service. I hope someday I have a pleasant little family just like them. I will take my family to church camp, and maybe our families will even be friends; but that won’t be for years.

Love, Amanda