The Day That Changed Everything.

Eleanor and I moved in together on January 1, 1987. We were married later that year, bought the condo we were living in a few months after that, and had closed on and moved into our first single-family home in the winter of 1991.

All important things, but things in the lives of two people. It was this day, 23 years ago, when the two became three.



That, literally, is the first picture in the book (unless you count the ultrasounds).  It came after an evening of labor, a middle-of-the-night decision to C-section, and a healthy mother and baby in the world together for the first time by a bit past 6 that morning.

A few months later, she was in day care, and by the time we left Rochester in her third year, she was a happy, well-adjusted little girl who was already showing signs of more artistic talent than I will ever aspire to. She got that from her mom; I contributed much of the verbal agility and all of the bad teeth:P

For years, today meant we were the first stop on the annual party circuit. We did zoo parties and art parties and at least one obligatory Chuckie Cheese party that still brings sugar-high nightmares.

Today, though, turning 23, she's in her new home, with the love of her life, and with two kitties of their own at their feet. We talked earlier; boring day at home. She has at least one new celebration, though: yesterday, her boss gave her an unexpected raise, mainly because of how well she handled a rather stressful situation, entirely on her own, on the last day of 2014.  I'm not sure she would have had all the pieces in place to do that even as of a few years ago, but it makes us proud as all get-out to see it in her.

She- they- will always have a place in our home and our lives, but that little girl has grown up. The dreams she follows will be her own, and in her own way.  It's a joy just to watch.