I know this is a little late, but I had to say a little something about what I'm thankful for. Ben and I are about to celebrate our two-year anniversary and will soon be man and wife. First, I cannot believe that it has been two years; it truly seems like only yesterday that we went on our first date (a waterside picnic with veggie burgers and our two dogs). In the course of these two years, so much has changed in my life - both personally and professionally. I am eternally thankful that, through these many changes, I have had the unconditional love and support of my family and friends.
As I reflect on my life and the life that Ben and I are soon to create together, I feel overwhelming gratitude. I am thankful for this gift of life and to my Mom and Dad for raising me to make my own choices and supporting me along the way. I also love and appreciate my new parents; Doot (Dave) and soon to be step-mom, Darlene (Momma Dar Dar). Although my birth-parents did not choose to stay together, I see their new partners as an expansion of my birth family - it makes our support network even stronger and more beautiful. Below, I've written some messages to specific people in our lives who make living each day more incredible and meaningful:
To Mom: Thank you for EVERYTHING. You have always been on my team. Thank you for your phone calls and for coming to see me - I don't know if you'll ever know how much it means to me that you make an effort to stay with me in Miami. Although we have built a wonderful life in Florida, I can never get enough of my family and I miss you all like crazy. Thank you for not only being my mother, but for also being a best friend; you're truly someone I count on no matter what. And, of course, thank you for helping to make our dream wedding a reality ...
To Dad: Thank you for the phone calls and sweet cards that I get in the mail. I wish that I could see you more and hopefully you'll make a trip to Miami sooner rather than later. Thank you as well for your help in making this wedding a true reflection of the love that Ben and I share. I am fortunate to have parents who support and love me. Oh yes ... and thank you for always collecting plastic utensils so that I always feel at home when we eat and for going out of your way to accommodate our vegetarianism - even though it's way out of your comfort zone. It really means a lot to me that you are Darlene embrace it and don't judge us ... thank you.
To Mandos: Where do I even start? You are my sister, my best friend and my confidant. I look to you for advice and encouragement - and you're always the one person who can make me smile when I need it the most. I am so honored to have you stand next to me on my wedding day. Thank you for being the best sister a girl could ask for. What a gift a sister like you has been in my life - you are a treasure. Never. Ever. Forget. It.
To Bruddo: My brother and friend, thank you for always wanting the best for me and for loving me. You never know how much it means when you and Mandos chat with me on the phone - your comments in the background always make me smile. You're the best bruddo in the world, and we don't need a birth-certificate to prove it.
To Doot: Thank you for coming into this family and for always treating me as if I were your daughter. You came into my life at a painful time and provided much love and support, I will never forget that. You'll always be my Doot and I'll always be your Deet. Also, thank you for what you have done for my mother, it's such a joy to see her start a new life with you.
To Momma Dar Dar: I'm so thankful to you for many reasons. 1) You have given my father a reason to smile again - you'll never know how much I appreciate the impact you have had on his life. 2) Your sincere love and compassion always makes me feel at home - I'm so glad that you'll officially be a part of the family soon.
To JJ, Brittany, Scott and Mandy: You are my new brothers and sisters and love you so much! We have a lot of fun together. Thank you for accepting me into your family with open arms. I'm excited for all that is to come.
To Susan: My futher mother-in-love - I couldn't ask for a better mom-to-be. From the day we met, you have felt like family. I feel like your daughter and you feel like a second mother to me. I am so honored to be the next Coppelman broad and I love you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for your help with our wedding - everything from the minor details to the big stresses, you are a lifesaver. The day you came with me to find my wedding dress will forever be one of the most treasured days of my life. And, of course, thank you for bringing the love of my life into this world!
To Ross: My future father-in-love - the coolest dad-to-be on earth! Oh how I love you and Susan and how I appreciate everything that you do for us. I appreciate our long talks and I always enjoy kicking your butt in a game of Balderdash or Pictionary! Also, thank you for creating the GORGEOUS rings that will forever be a symbol of the commitment Ben and I will make to each other. Also, thank you for your help with our wedding. We love and appreciate everything that you do for us. I also appreciate your continuous effort to keep your snapping in check :)
To Adam, Alison and Charlie: My future sister/bro-in-love and my little nephew - I am so honored to be Aunt La La to your beautiful Charlie! We can't wait for Charlie to be the ring bearer on our big day and for the roles that each of you will play as well. You both have been so warm and caring and I can't wait for all of the fun times to come. I love you both and am so proud to join the fam.
To Nana and Papa: You both came into my life at a time when I was facing the inevitable loss of my Mamaw. You both understood how much of an impact it would have (and continues to have) on my life and have adopted me as your own granddaughter from the beginning. I love you both so much and I am so grateful to the two of you - I love you more than you'll ever know.
To the rest of my family (there are a lot of you, so I can't list them all here - but if you're a Caudill, Wills, Scearce, Hardin, Searcy, Snider, Pantano, Ethington, Mirillo, Webb, Pilkinton, Doyle or Price - you know that I'm talkin' to you!): We've been through a lot together and I love each of you so much. Thank you for all of your love and support through the years and for standing by me through the good times and the bad. Some of you listed are blood relatives and others are not, but you're all FAMILY. I will forever be grateful to each of you for the love and support you have given to me - and now to us - as we start this new chapter in our lives. Thank you.
To the rest of Ben's extended family (I won't try and name them all - there are too many, but you know who you are!): Each of you have openly welcomed me into your homes and hearts and I love you for that. I always have the best time with each of you and look forward to the moments we spend together. Whether it's drinking Ross' famous cosmos with the girls or "bird-watching" with the boys, it's always a blast. I am so excited for everything that is to come (wedding in CT, more babies, more crazy restaurant experiences and more pizza nights at Ross and Susan's house) - I love you all.
To all of our friends (in KY, Miami, Ohio, Indiana and Cape Cod - and all around the world!): Boy do we love and appreciate you! You each have enriched our lives and have given us a million reasons to celebrate and smile. We look forward to celebrating this next stage in our lives with each of you and appreciate how much it means to each of you to be there with us. We can't wait to be a part of those same important experiences in each of your lives.
To Ishka (the Ka-bob) and Pickle (the Pig): Thank you for making every day brighter. Pig, thank you for always bringing an offering when we get home (usually a pair of socks or the remote control) and Ish, thank you for your big, open heart! I love you both so much and can't imagine my life without you - you are family and we just want you close to us!
To Ojos and Kita: You two have been with me for a long time and have seen me through many changes. We go all the way back to Sugarcreek Road in Lex, KY! That seems like ages ago - I love you both so much cherish our morning snuggles and Kita's unquenchable thirst. You two are my babies and I love you.
And last, but CERTAINLY not least, to Ben: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for every day, every hug, every kiss, every snuggle, and every game of hide-and-seek. Thank you for embracing my quirks and for loving me even more despite them. Thank you for our late night talks and for being not only my fiance - but my dearest friend. I am so honored to marry you in July and walk through every stage of life with you by my side. You mean the world to me and I love you to the moon and back, and then a non-stop, round trip all the way to Pluto!
If I forgot a category here - I am so sorry! It is 12:30 a.m and I'm a little drowsy, so cut me some slack ;) We love you, we love you, we love you and we are so thankful for you (even though it's 3 days late) on this Thanksgiving day.
Thanksgiving left me full - full of love, full at heart and, of course, full in the belly. I hope that each of you shared Thanksgiving day with your loved ones and felt the warmth and comfort of home.
Hi Laura, I found your blog through reading Rachel's. I have enjoyed reading your blogs and hearing about your life in Miami. Congratulations on your engagement!
Posted by: Elizabeth Price | December 02, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Laura, What a beautiful message to all of us. Thank you so much. I am so proud of you and Ben. Doot and I love you both bunches!!! July will be a special day to us all. I am the one so blessed to have you, Amanda, Ben, Brad, Dave, Linda (and family), JJ, Brittany, Scott, Mandy, Eliza, and the rest of our family and friends. I can't wait till Christmas and December 26th we will have a aparty (send me the list). I love you!!
Posted by: Momma | December 02, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Love your post. So sweet and well thought out (like you!). Can't wait to see you in a few weeks. Let me know when I can expect you. XOXOXOXOXXOXO.
Posted by: Rachel Webb | December 02, 2008 at 07:30 PM
I feel the exact same way about you. I love you so much & can't wait til Chritus.
Btw ~ u neva call.
Posted by: Amanda | December 03, 2008 at 07:28 AM
This is the sweetest post ever to all of your loved ones!! Thinking of you in Indy always :) love you!
Posted by: Lindsay Catav | December 05, 2008 at 08:34 AM