RKC

When I met her, she was a gangly 13 year old just finishing up 8th grade and her last year of middle school. She had the longest legs and prettiest eyes I had ever seen. I imagine she was excited about getting to go to the high school and a little nervous about being the low man on the totem pole at the same time. She marched in and took right over. And in the next three years she accomplished a lot-- lettering in volleyball, getting elected to the homecoming court, participating in all kinds of community service clubs, and still staying on top of her grades. And in three days she'll graduate with a 3.7 GPA.

Step-parent/step-child relationships are notoriously rocky. But not at my house. When P and I decided we were in this for the long-haul and we sat down to talk to the kiddos, I wanted to be very clear that I in no way wanted to be their mom. In fact, I wasn't even very comfortable with the term step-mom. I wanted them to know that I knew they already had a very capable mother, and nobody ever needs two. :) I much preferred to be friends and to leave the parenting business to their parents. And so it went for the next three years. The result is that I've gotten to know this marvelous, marvelous girl who is growing into an absolutely gorgeous, passionate, and amazingly talented woman. And seeing the transformation has been the coolest part of the whole thing for me.

She's hilarious and extremely silly. After she comes for a visit, both P and I can count on picking up our phones and finding pictures she randomly took. Like...



And we laugh every time.

We've been through a lot together the last few years. A couple of big moves and new houses, trying to figure out boys and why they sometimes do the stupid, idiotic things they do, especially in high school, old cars, newer cars, learning how to drive in parking lots without hitting anything, and navigating the craziness that happens when you rock the boat and become the first person in your family to ever really leave town and go to college. 2010 has been a growing year for her-- for all of us really. And I couldn't be more proud.



She's got dreams. And I've committed to helping her achieve those. She's got a plan to move to the west coast next year. I told her if she really wants to do it, I'll help her make it happen, as long as we can get a two bedroom. She wants to spend her days being a beach bum and painting on Venice Beach. I told her I'd help her keep the sunblock on. And she wants to spend the next year in Dallas building her portfolio to try to get into a good art school. So I'm stocking up on art supplies and getting her room ready in our house.

Her levelheadedness, her passion, her sensitivity, her creativity, and her sweet spirit are all a testament to the amazing job her mother, father, and grandparents have done raising this child. I'm just happy to have gotten in on it, even if it was late in the game. My life is better because I know her, and the world holds big things for this girl. And I can't wait to see what they are.

Congratutions, Robin! :)