Tenacity
I wish I could add pictures to the definitions of some words in the dictionary. If I could I one to tenacity it would be a picture of Emily in her cap and gown. When Emily graduated from high school and started at Biola in 2011, Jim had not been dead very long. Not only…
32 Years of my favorite Girl
32 years ago, I met a girl. As I got to know her, I realized this was not going to be an ordinary relationship. She needed me and I needed her but for very different reasons. She needed me to feed her, clothe her, keep her safe and show her the beauty of the world…
31 Flavors of MLEEEE
I am so fortunate that I get to call this girl mine. She is the most creative, thoughtful and silly girl I know. People often ask what my favorite flavor of ice cream is – I have several. Like ice cream, my girl is full of sweetness and no matter what memory I have, I…
The Other Woman part 2
Once upon a time, aka 30 years ago, my husband fell in love with another woman. Actually, that is not quite accurate – it was a female child. When September 3rd had just begun, so began the in-person relationship between Jim and Emily that had begun to develop as an idea many years earlier in…
Emily at 29
Every year I scramble to think of something “new” to write to you on your birthday, but in reality I just reword the same thing every time – I love you and I want the best for you. So, here I go again… Every day since you were given by the Lord to me and…
My Beautiful Daughter
Dear Em, This has been a weird season but the best part for me has been the few months we have been under the same roof again. I am sorry, not sorry, for the turn of events that left you jobless and homeless. I am sorry you both have gone through so much trauma and…
5 Years
Happy 5th Anniversary Osborns! It is startling to wake up and realize that it has already been 5 years since your wedding day! Is married life what you expected? Do you remember being single? Does it feel like 5 years? 5 years is the anniversary of wood – whatever that means! So I will start…
Impossible
Emily! How is it possible that you are 27 years old?! You are a game-changer, mother-maker, jazz singer. worship leader. big sister, art lover. shoe painter. talented, Disney lover, Christ follower, daddy’s girl, kind friend, and my only daughter. There are not enough words to express who you are and how much I love you.…
Emily at 26
26 years old is an age that seems different than 25. I am not sure why. You have been married for 3 1/2 years and you are making your way in the world. I guess for me, when I turned 26, even though I had been an adult for 7 years, 25 feels young, but…
Hougham the Bear
Happy Anniversary! #3 When Emily was little she had a very strong attachment to a teddy bear named Hougham. It was a gift given at a baby shower, along with countless other items she could have latched onto. We cannot say why she chose what she chose but when she was old enough to express…