Happy Birthday Emily!

Des has 12 nieces and nephews on his side of the family. When I first met them seven years ago, most of them were just little people. At the time, the youngest was only six with the rest ranging from six to fourteen, excluding the oldest who was in his mid-twenties at the time. In just seven short, fast years, these little people have started to grow into amazing young women and men that I'm blessed to call my family.

One of those lovely young women is Miss Emily, also Des' goddaughter, who today turns 19. When I met her she was just 12, not yet even a teenager. Here she is today entering the last year of her teens. All grown up, becoming legal, in university and well on her way to becoming a world traveller. She's smart, funny and witty. Independent, determined and strong. Sophisticated, stylish and savvy. She's everything a girl her age should be and more.

Today and everyday, we cherish her and love her.

Emily holding a still tiny Hudson - the most recent pic I have of her as she spent the summer in New York State.

Happy Birthday Emily!