Joanna

Mom and Dad -

First, the obvious - without you two, I wouldn't be here.  But that's not just because you created me.  Without you two, I wouldn't be living the life I'm living (and loving it - even with its ups and downs).  Without you allowing me to flounder around after graduation, and supporting me in my super insane/spur of the moment decision to enlist in the Air Force, I wouldn't be half the woman I am today.  And for that, I thank you.

Growing up with you for parents was just about the best thing I could ever ask for.  Sure, there were rough patches, but I never once doubted that you guys loved me and would do anything for me.  Without your unconditional love to all of those foster babies (and some non-babies), I don't think I'd be the woman I am today.  And for that, I thank you.  I remember waiting for Dad to come home on Fridays, so excited about the candy bars he would have for us.  I remember loving Halloween parties at school because that meant the entire family took the day off to go bowling.  I remember family grocery shopping for Creation at Sam's (and hoping we were early enough to get the taste tests).  Surfing on Sand Ridge Rd in the back of the big red van, all of us kids snuggling into your bed on Saturday mornings, and playing "hot and cold" on my birthday mornings for that ever-so-important first gift of the day.

I always knew, without a doubt, that you would always be there for me.  I could give you so many instances over my past 28 years where you were there for me... without reservation, without judgement.  Even if you KNEW that the decision I was making was not the right one, you let me make it.  You let me fall on my face because it was what I needed, and you were there to offer me a hand or two when I would try to get back up.  And you still loved me.  You showed me what I could learn from a situation, and never brought it up again.  You were there for that 3:30a phone call.  You were there for all of my relationship mistakes.  You were even there when I bounced a few checks back in 2002, and you gave me that much-needed wake-up call about responsibility.  Amazingly, you both know how to calm me down when it seems to me that no one gets me and couldn't possibly understand what I'm going through.  You've shown me time and time again that, no, I'm not insane.  I'm just a Taylor.  ; )

Through the toughest situations I've ever seen a couple have to face, you've faced them head-on - together - and never faltered.  You weren't afraid to do what was best for the family, even if it means causing yourselves immense pain in the process.  You've never hidden your love for each other, never been ashamed.

You guys have a marriage that everyone aspires to have.  You love each other - there's no mistaking that.  But what sticks out the most in my mind is how, even when you fight, it's obvious you love each other.  And you stick together through and after each fight.  You love each other more and more every day.

There's so much I could say to try tell you how much you mean to me, but none of it would be enough.  Words can't describe what you've meant to me... to us... to countless people along your journey together.  Thank you for being my parents.  Thank you for being you... thank you for loving each other, and for teaching me what it means to truly love someone.