Today’s post was written by my mom, and presented to me exactly 20 years ago at a cookout to kick off our wedding weekend. She had a sweet tradition of writing goofy poems as toasts for special occasions, and I was thrilled to come across her handwritten treasure recently while rifling through some old files. I remember being so honored to be the recipient of one of her poetic creations, and I am so happy to have this loving blessing from her heart 20 years later. Thought it would be fun to share it in the spirit of celebration. Apologies for the regrettable formatting—sometimes WordPress ain’t easy…
Our little girl with dirty-blonde hair
And sparkling hazel eyes
Was born in May on a fine spring day
We could tell she was brilliant and wise!
At first she was an only child…
For nearly seventeen months
Til sister Meredith joined the team
Two babies to feed at once
She grew so tall with long straight legs
And personality loving
No one could imagine the morning I found her
Climbing into the oven!
She sledded and biked with her sister and friends
In the kiddie pool they would play
Occasionally she could get out of bounds—
“Get out of the bushes” we’d say
We had bowling parties at Garden City Lanes
Followed by burgers and franks
And parties at home in the basement or yard
Where the kids performed special pranks
“Pin the Tail on the Donkey” was fun
When Andrea played, she was hot!
She would pull up the blinders just enough
For her eyes to see the right spot!
Lauri and Steven were special friends
They lived just two houses away
They loved and fought and had good times
And are special friends to this day
When Michael was born, she was nearly five
And would help with her baby brother
She’d climb in his crib and change his diaper
Just like a little mother
She sucked her thumb as children do
Certainly nothing to hide
But we wondered if she would kick the habit
Before she became a bride!
A sense of humor and sense of direction
And plenty of common sense too
From Mrs. Tribelli in kindergarten
She graduated to BU
We all need a special peaceful place
When the going gets really tough
Andrea’s bedroom closet was hers
And she’d hide there among her stuff
She packed up her life’s belongings once
And was California bound
But we got her back before too long
She preferred the east, she found
She’s worked in PR with great success
Creativity and writing her forte
Press releases, newsletters and mentoring too
Filled the better part of her day
The guy on the phone was really neat
Though they hadn’t yet had a real date
But on February 12th they finally met
And her David was really first rate!
Just two days from now we’ll gather together
As Andrea becomes David’s wife
We wish them good health and love and joy
And a rich and fulfilling life!