Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Happy 40th Chelsea

 Happy 40th Birthday to Chelsea - 


our oldest... 

(the guinea pig of three)...






and precious blessing 


who made us first time

(pre-google) parents.


Back in the olden days…life was 

BC 

(Before Chelsea) 

when PaulA and I could go out anytime without a plan,

and sleep in on weekends.

Then came 

AC 

(After Chelsea) 

when a 5-point plan was required,

sleep was a luxury,

and 

our hearts grew bigger than 

PaulA and I could have ever imagined.







People always talk about how time flies;

that it doesn’t stop for anyone... 

it’s a bird…it’s a plane…

or maybe a runaway train. 

 I remember being a brand new mom with Chelsea in Jax, FL, 

in the days between naps and feedings 

wondering…

how am I gonna get through the rest of the day?


until her 1st birthday? 




                                                             (warm Jax winters helped)

     


But before long…

time took off, gained speed, and the next thing we knew -

forty years of Chelsea zoomed by 

like a toddler running with scissors.


And now here we are

wondering... 

how it's already been forty years  

since the little girl we once held… 

grew into the amazing woman we admire....

with a family of her own.





Anywhoooo…..


Looking back at Chelsea’s different eras, 
I would often think, 
ahhh… this stage of her life 
right here, right now is the best one yet.
And then she would grow and change,
and every time I thought it couldn't get better..
Chelsea would prove me wrong.


I remember thinking that the best age was 

when Chelsea was a baby  

and fit perfectly in my arms;  

until it became a better age

 when she learned to walk and talk, 

and could tell me what she wanted.


It was also the best age when 
Chelsea needed me 
and my hugs and kisses could fix her boo-boos.

Then it became 
when she needed me less… 
but still wanted to be with me.💗


It was the best age when Chelsea didn’t drive, 
and I always knew were she was.

Sweet Bri made this for Chelsea's 16th bday


Then it became 
the best when she did drive-
and could run out to grab the milk, or drive herself home.





It was the best age when she was too young to drink
until one day... 
she was old enough to hang with me 
and share a glass of wine. 



It was the best age helping her decide 

on a prom dress;

until one day... 

she was engaged to her college sweetheart 

and we were shopping for her 

wedding dress.




Every era feels like it's the one-
the best one…
until the next one comes along 
and proves that it is too.

Happy fabulous 40th, Chelsea
(BTW, you were already fabulous.)

Thank you for making us parents and grandparents. 
It’s been an amazing adventure... 
rewarding, 
unforgettable 
and
truly priceless. 


We hope you are having the best time in Mexico/Aruba 

because Hop and I are having 

the BEST time 

with your crew 

who love you...


T H I S   M U C H .






Friday, December 5, 2025

My Boyfriend of 50 years

                                                                  Today is a day that is cemented in 

PaulA and Kat history....

December 5th, 

our first date...

a mere 50 years ago.


We were sophomores at UVM,

living in the dorms on Redstone Campus





and

PaulA asked me to 

 a semi-formal party.

   

(The party was as "semi-formal" 

as you can get in a

dormitory lounge made of 

porous gray cinder blocks.)


So, as girls do…

I debated on what I should wear.  

Nothing I owned seemed worthy of a 

concrete block 

semi-formal affair…

so I walked “down street” to the center of Burlington 

to look for a 

cool yet groovy 

outfit to wear…

and I came back with a 

brown velvet skirt and matching brown vest.

 #whatwasIthinking?


I guess I was going for a look that screamed

the old UPS slogan...

 "What-can-Brown-do-for-you?"


 It's a wonder PaulA didn't send me packing...

with packing slip and all.


I must say...

my date was looking quite spiffy in his 

corduroy jacket, 

white tie, 

and curly hair.









Anywhoooo……



This morning PaulA  said to me...

"Today is December 5th...

the anniversary of our first date…

50 years ago.”

With a sweet card and 

dinner reservations...

this curly-haired boy's 

still got it.


That there is 

concrete (dorm room)

 proof 

my brown outfit didn't scare him away

and that

December 5th is 

cemented in 

PaulA and Kat history.


Who would have known 

that our first date would lead to 

countless more over 50 years……



and that PaulA would become my amazing husband, father and “Hop."





Concrete fact:  He will always be my boyfriend.