Happy Birthday Mindy Rose! (Mimi)

We weren't much at picture taking back then.

We had a Polaroid camera..

everyone did..

we were no exception..

Took quick pictures..

But they were BAD..

And film was expensive

and we were oh-so-poor

when you were tiny.

Your sister, TPot, thought you

were her own personal pet.

And you were so good-natured

that you let her feed you
whenever she felt like it.

You were her best audience..

Always a step behind her

because you were only

a year younger.

If she sat in the leaves

you sat in the leaves~

You loved your birthday parties

at Happy Joe's Pizza Place

and rode the carousel whether

it was turning or not..

and would stay on

until we pried your fingers

from the horse.

And Oh! How you loved

being a bride.

I lost count of how many Halloweens

that you dressed as a bride.

YOU were always a bride

and your brother was ALWAYS

a rabbit.

And, then, one day I turned around

and you were a young woman.

A young woman with a passion for singing

and a passion for the Lord.

You made a missions trip to China..

and saw a different side of life..

You came home

older and wiser.

You were beautiful dressed for

 your high school prom..

where you wore a dress

that looked a lot like

a bridal gown..

and gave us a hint

of how beautiful you would be

as a real bride someday.

And your hair...Oh! Your hair..

Complete strangers would come up to

you and ask you where you got

your perm..

Your answer was always the same.

~From God~

When you were real little

you would toss those curls and say,

in your sweet, sing-songy little voice,

There are two kinds of people in the

world...those that have curly red hair..

and those that wish they did.

One time when you were about five

you told someone who

asked you where you got that red hair,

"I was running through Hell and my hair caught fire!"

We were mortified..and of course..

made the mistake of scolding you..

so that became your

Trademark Statement.

"I was running through Hell and my hair caught fire!"

You were our naughty mouth..

our door slammer...

our wall kicker..

but you also gave us the

least amount of trouble

as a teenager.

You were SUCH a good girl..

The girl that all the Aunts & Uncles loved.

You graduated high school..

The years moved us along...
Your older brother got married

and gave you a niece..

who shares the same middle name...

Rose

 You ran the company business with your Dad

and bought him out..

and then...one day..

a man from the

Florida Keys

came along and swept you off your feet.

And, finally, you didn't need to

dress as a bride for Halloween anymore..

No indeedy..

You could dress as a bride for your wedding..

which was held outdoors..

and your Dad married you..

It was a dream wedding..

And about three years later

along came this little

dream boat.

Soon to be joined by..

Name Unknown

Next year's birthday will find you

a Mom to two!

Happy, Happy Birthday

to

A wonderful wife,

A wonderful mother,

but most especially,

A wonderful daughter.

We love you-

ps.  the check is in the mail...Bwhahahaha