This girl is my firstborn... and was my little buddy when I needed one. I am a Florida girl, born and raised... and when this girl was two, her daddy got a job that moved us north, to Cincinnati, Ohio and I had no idea what living in an area that would actually have seasons and have snow and at times very cold temperatures would be like. I had no idea what it would be like to live away from family because I had never lived more than five minutes away from my mom and dad. But, this girls dad got a job with Procter & Gamble, so off we moved to the great unknown. And let me say, it was the best thing we did. The three of us learned change and unknown together and when this girls daddy went off to his job, I can remember watching him drive off and during the day, me and this girl were on our own.
This girl became a big sister the first time when she was five years old, then again at 9, and then surprisingly again at 14. There has been some typical sibling rivalries and fights along the way... but at the end of the day, this girl has been a great big sister.
Because of this girls daddy's job, she has moved four times and move number five brought her full circle when she moved back to Florida, where she was born, to attend college. Moving has its ups and downs. One of the ups is the friends and memories you make along the way, and this girl has made many lifelong friends. No doubt, Louisiana friends will always hold a special place in her heart. And her Ohio/Kentucky friends are some of her best! Not to mention, this really great guy who came into her life over two years ago.
This girl has done well in her 21 years. Since she is my firstborn, I have learned along the way with her. I suppose as I look back, there are things I might do differently. But, this girl has been away from home for three years now and as I watch her, I know that her daddy and I did a pretty good job. She has worked since she was 15 (almost 16) and this last year of college has been able to hold down a waitressing job, while finishing up her Bachelors degree in Business, graduating with honors and working hard for every A she got. This girl is going to have an internship with the Girl Scouts this summer and then... well, we will put our trust and faith in God, and pray this girl will be able to get a job in the "real world".
And even though she will always be "this girl" to me, she has grown into a beautiful lady on the inside as well as on the outside and I couldn't be more proud. Best wishes to this girl, Krysta Lauren, as she begins this next phase of her life. I am thankful that God gave me this girl... I have truly been blessed.
