My Mother

Oh mom! I will fully admit I am biased, but my mom is a pretty amazing woman. As I have grown up, passing ages at which I remember my mother, I am in awe of the experiences she has had to go through very young in life. I remember her at my age now, just having her second child and having recently taken another child into her family to raise. She approached every experience with joy and a smile. No matter how hard a situation got, or how bleak the future looked, she always found the silver lining. I learned so much from her love, and her faith in the Lord.

Grammy

My Grammy is one of the most beautiful people I know - inside and out (it is a close competition with my mom). I mean just look at her! She radiates beauty, love, grace, elegance, joy, kindness, virtue.....

I think the best way to describe my grandmother is through the poem "My Symphony." I know no one who exemplifies the virtues described better than her.

Love you Grammy!

Sara Pauline Wait Garff

So up until now I chose the people I wanted to feature at random, but this weekend I was called to remember how much I love Sara Wait. Through a random encounter I met someone who had known Sara in high school. As we were trying to figure out if we were talking about the same person, he kept saying "She's blonde right? She is really sweet and kind. Yeah, I just remember he being so nice, so sweet." I couldn't think of a better way to describe Sara. She just exudes happiness, kindness, thoughtfulness and enthusiasm. I absolutely love Sara. She is the best friend a person could ask for.

Christina

This is Christina & Matt - one of the cutest couples ever.

Christina was one of my first roommates in New York, and what a blessing she was. I adore Christina. A cool Korean, hipster, advertising-guru, graphic designer. Christina always knew about the coolest things period. The coolest things in New York, the best restaurants to eat at, hot new music. You name it she knew it. She is just plain hip - with no pretense whatsoever. AND she makes the best Korean food on earth. I love her and miss her.

Miss Julie

I have worked with Julie on and off for almost ten years now. Not only is she the best co-worker anyone could ask for, she is the best aunt, friend, wife, person I have ever met. She amazes me with her cheerful loving approach to life. She treats her nieces and nephews as though they were her own children (they each have their own room in her house) and she treats her friends like family. I can only hope that in my lifetime I can be half as kind or as thoughtful as Julie.

One more thing I love about Julie.... When she finds a pair of shoes she likes she will buy them in all the colors available, and sometimes she ends up doing this:

Tommy

I love this guy! I could go on for days about how much and why, so if you want to know just ask...or come hang out with him for 5 minutes. Love you Dad! Happy Birthday!

Melanie Bean

Melanie is Pierside Ward's best kept secret. Anyone who hasn't discovered that secret is seriously missing out. Mel may appear to be quiet and reserved but she is one of the funniest and one of the most thoughtful people I have ever met. Life is better just for knowing her.