Gavin, Sydney, Caleb, Ben, and Remy: When I dreamed about becoming a mom, I didn’t have one hot clue what that would actually mean. But now I know: it means thinking about you basically every minute of every day, sneaking in to see you sleep at night, watching you across rooms and barely believing that you are mine. Fine, sometimes it also means stalking you on Instagram. If I could handpick five kids in the entire universe to raise, it would be you five. Dad and I are just crazy about you. Watching you grow up into young adults right now is the most amazing, shocking, beautiful thing.
And finally, to Brandon, married twenty-four years this December. I don’t think anyone on earth could love me like you do. I have always felt seen and known and cared for inside our marriage, and that is a true gift. We’re on the downhill slope here on this parenting gig, which is exciting and terrible. But I know I can anticipate an amazing new chapter with you after we’ve wrapped this part up, because I like you and we’re awesome together. Let’s travel. Let’s move into a loft. Let’s get new tattoos. Let’s sit on a lot of porches and beaches and docks and toast this little life of ours. Thanks for being my person. I love you.