Dear Broseph

Dear Broseph
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! It's so crazy that it's only been about a year that you've been in our lives. You really are like the little brother I never had and I think you're an awesome dude.

A year ago today, Grace and I barely knew you and got you a caramel apple for your birthday because cake seemed weird. Little did we know that you would end up liking it better than if we had gotten you cake! In the relatively little amount of time that has passed since then you've become a pretty integral part of our family.

See that picture up there Broseph? See where you are? Smack in the middle. You probably didn't realize what you were signing up for by coming around but you're definitely stuck with us now. You can always count on us to be like your home away from home. We consider you a part of our family and you should never question that.

Broseph, as your honorary big sister, I want you to know that you can always talk to me about stuff. I will always do my best to give you the advice and friend that you need.

We love you Broseph and we're way glad that you're around. It's been a blast with you joining us and I think it can only get better from here.

I hope that you're nineteenth year was better than you thought it would be and that, now that you're way out of your teens, adulthood will be even better. You already know that being a grown up super sucks but it's not so bad as long as you've got one heck of a support team and you have that in us.

You're great and I hope your day is great too!

Always,
Eliza

I Have the Best Parents

This lovely couple right here are my parents. This post is for them. Because today is their wedding anniversary! 24 years of marital bliss!

Dear Mom and Dad,
Today marks 24 years since you two were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles temple. I am so grateful for all that you two have done for me and my sisters. You're seriously the best parents a girl could ask for and I am so blessed to have you as mine.

You two have been through a lot over the years be it illness, unemployment, relocation, anything! The thing that's most honorable is that whenever there's a problem, you guys go at it together. I've seen arguments and disagreements but you always manage to come together.

I can honestly say that I know what a loving relationship can be because of the love I've been so blessed to witness between you two. Sure, me and my sisters squeal and freak out with the overt affection in the kitchen. But you guys are so obviously still in love after all this time. You have fun together. You genuinely enjoy the company of one another.

Not only are you two a wonderful example of what I want when I get married one day (hopefully :P ) you are also terrific parents. Through all the life experiences and tumult you've been through in your 24 years, roughly 22 of them have been with a child tagging along. And you two have handled it pretty dang well I think. You had us quick and fast by some standards but you have always been parents. You have perfected being a Mama and a Daddy-- anyone can be a mother and father.

As you both know, I've been trying to train a chick the last week or so. My teacher told us today that this experience can be very insightful for parenting. I've always respected what you've accomplished with my sisters and me but now I have an even better insight. Instead of getting frustrated at the first hiccup, you've stuck with us. We make a TON of mistakes and you could very easily give up on us (especially since legally we're all adults now) but you stick with us. You take care of us. You don't just throw in the towel because it gets frustrating or because we seem to make the same mistakes over and over again. For reals, the effort you two put in on a daily basis is incredible.

So I want to thank you two for showing me what marriage can and should be as well as what I as a parent can work towards. I love you both so very very much and I wouldn't be half the person I am today without you two in my life. You are a stalwart example in my life.

Here's to a happy 24 years and eternity to go!

I love you,
Your Oldest Child