Elora's Birthday

Elora turned 18 on Tuesday. She is an adult. She will graduate from high school in one month and will start college in the fall.

Okay - each of the statements above was NOT FUN to write!

I first met her when she was just 8 years old (wasn't that just last week)? I was dating her dad and he invited me over to his house for dinner. I arrived at his house and a very cute little brown-haired girl shyly opened the door. I asked her if she was Larissa. She said in the cutest little voice that I'll never forget, "No, I'm Elora."

She was wearing a dress and invited me into the living room to sit down. She said the chef (Todd) was still making dinner but would I like to look at a menu. She and Darren had made a homemade menu and I was able to select my dinner of choice.

She and Darren had soft music playing in the background and treated me like a queen. Elora served my meal and tried to be very formal and lady-like. Adorable!!

But that's not all - this is where it gets good!!

After dinner I heard her whisper to Todd and ask if she could go ride her bike. He told her she could but she had to change into her play clothes. She bolted to her room.

I was NOT prepared for what I saw next!

Apparently she forgot that she left her play clothes in the bathroom - which was down the hall from her bedroom. Rather than take the time to put on a robe or cover up in some way - she decided to make a mad dash to the bathroom. But since she didn't have one stitch of clothing on - I guess it could be said that she streaked to the bathroom!

I was sitting on the couch, trying to be ever so lady-like and make a good impression when I saw the flesh-colored blur, aka Elora, out of the corner of my eye. I couldn't stop the cackling laughter that escaped from my throat. It was the funniest thing I had ever seen.

I was hooked. Elora was adorable. It was her eyes...her shyness that got to me.

She is a true joy. She is sweet and smart and loyal and pretty and talented and funny and her smile is as big as Texas. There is nothing better than trying to get her to laugh so hard that she squeaks.

Happy 18th birthday. Please don't forget us little people as you pursue your dreams!

You are loved.


Eating her birthday dinner at her favorite restaurant.



From left to right:
Larissa, Elora, Egads-who is that?!, Todd, and Connor