Finding Neverland

Dear Caden,


Let me tell you a story. This story involves a geeky young man and a nerdy young lady who both worked at Wal-Mart. The young man and the young woman quickly became friends and enjoyed spending time together. One day the young man nervously asked his friend if she would date him and she told him no. She valued their friendship and didn't want to mess it up with dating him. What if something happened and they started fighting? She didn't want anything to happen to their wonderful friendship. Little did he know, but that friendship meant everything to her. You see, this young lady had recently gotten out of a physically and mentally abusive relationship. She was broken on the inside and was hurting deeply. This young gentleman was her lifeline. She never told him, at that time, how much he meant to her. He would allow her to vent her frustrations, would pray with her and would hold her while she just cried, pouring her heart out to God. Before their shifts at the store, they would walk at the local college on the outside trail. This time, walking outside on the trails, was the biggest building block in their relationship. They would talk about their dreams in life, they would share secrets, they would laugh and enjoyed basking in the sun and in each other's presence. They found out that they had so much in common, and she would share the Word of God with him. She invited him to church, and after much consideration, he came. She was extremely nervous. What if her church was too different for him? What if he thought they were all crazy? What if..what if? She immediately shut out the "What if" voices and prayed. If it was meant to be, then it would happen. And it did happen! He came to church and after several visits, he received the Gift of the Holy Ghost and was baptized in Jesus' name. God is so good!


Their friendship continued to grow, and everyone started telling them that they needed to start dating, that there was no one else as perfect together as they were. Once again, the young woman declined. Secretly she was falling in love with him, but she didn't want anything to change. She loved how everything was going, and didn't want to risk anything happening to it. So life continued on and they were just the best of friends. Then one day during her lunch, he brought her lunch from one of their favorite restaurants and 11 roses. He looked her in the eye and said, "I know you have always said you don't want to date because you don't want to mess up our friendship. But please, just give me a chance. One chance, and if I mess up, we will stop dating and go back to being just friends. Please, let me love you."


That was in 2003. This past June 9th, we celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. I am so blessed that I listened to your Daddy and gave him that chance. Marrying him and having you are the best things that I have ever done. Sometimes I feel like my relationship with your Daddy is that out of a fairy tale book. We get along so well, not to say that we don't have our differences!, but I believe that we are meant for each other. Our favourite story is that of Peter Pan. I am not sure if it is because neither one of us want to grow up, or if it is the excitement of pirates, and pixie dust that fills our imaginations. Either way, I know that I will grow old with your Daddy, and we will have many marvelous adventures along the way. Life shouldn't be so serious, life should be filled with laughter, picnics in the living room, late night secrets and sleeping under make-shift tents. I am so excited that you are here with us and get to join us on our adventures as we go on in life.


As I watch you sleeping, I see your mouth curl in a smile and your lashes fluttering. I wonder about the excitement that you are dreaming of and it makes me smile. I pray that as you grow older that you continue to learn to embrace life and have fun. That you find the perfect person to spend the rest of your life with- the one that will always make you feel loved, young, and will have many adventures with. The one that you can fly to Neverland with.


Love, Mommy