Dear Laney,
You won't be born for a few years now, but I thought you'd like to see how our little family got started.
Your Dad and I had been dating for a year and a half - he lived in San Diego and I lived in Los Angeles, but I missed him so much when he wasn't around that I would drive up and down the Interstate every weekend to see him. Which brings me to my first bit of Mom Tip:
Mom Tip #1: If you're ever in LA, avoid the 405 and stick to surface streets.
For Christmas 2007, we went to Cedaredge, CO to visit with your great-grandparents Ron and Barbara. On New Years Eve, your Dad said he wanted to take me for a drive to see the Colorado National Monument. You may have learned this on your own by now, but your Dad isn't very good at keeping secrets. He starts to fidget and look guilty. So I knew he was going to propose. Anyway, we went on a long drive and as we wound up and up and up this mountain, and the whole time I was thinking "I wish he'd just pull over and give me the ring already!" When he finally thought he had found the perfect spot, he pulled the car over and suggested we get out. It was 13 degrees outside, so he gave me his coat. He said "There's something in the pocket for you." When I reached my hand in there, I felt a ring box. Your Dad got down on one knee and told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, and I agreed right away - and not just because I wanted to get back in the heated car.
What's funny about this picture is I was SO sure that your Dad was going to propose, that I made him stop at Wal-Mart on the way to the Monument so I could buy a camera.
The next morning, we had champagne with Grandma Sue and your great-grandparents, and then we went skiing. It was a beautiful day, and we were very happy. But not as happy as we were going to be when we met you.
Love,
Mom
