What is a Kristien?

Her name is Kristien (kristeen). She blew into my life about a year ago. A whirlwind that I couldn't stop. My heart just opened up and wanted to swallow her. I felt this longing to be her mother. Not just in some superficial way, not like when you just enjoy being around someone, I felt ripped off that I couldn't claim her as my own flesh and blood. I wanted to be responsible for her as well as care for her needs. She was "friends" with my oldest son. But as friendship grew between them I began to hope that she would be a permanent part of our lives. I was really secretive about my feelings.....(My family will tell you different). So to say she blew into my life a year ago is a stretch. She actually blew into David's life, but I was so busy falling for her that I didn't much care about their relationship. They were cute and all, but I really needed some security in knowing she was always going to be a part of my life. I enquired regularly of the progress of their relationship. Not in a nagging way, but sweetly and without prying into business that wasn't my own. You know, like "how are you and Kristi getting along? Any wedding plans yet?" "How many kids do you think she wants?" And the ever subtle "Do you know how cute her hair would look up and in a veil?"
I have watched her grow from a giddy young school girl to a beautiful, talented, spiritual young woman. I have seen insecurities that I had faced in my younger days. It has given me an insight to, not only who Kristien is, but to who I am, what shaped me.
On December 20th, 2006 Kristien agreed to be my daughter in law. Ok, she said yes to David's proposal. But, afterall, it is all about ME! This is my blog!
It was a beautiful and sweet time. Yes, new love and the combining of two lives is always nice, yadda, yadda. This was so fantastic, because the thing I wanted most was for Kristien to be mine and now she was going to be my daughter. She leaves me sweet notes and tells me she loves me. And she can dish out the sarcasm with the best of us. She is truly a blessing to all of us. But she was my gift from God. The daughter I never knew I wanted.
She threatens regularly of putting me in a home. Well maybe not so funny since I demanded 8 grandkids from her and that was her answer.
Loving Kristien has taught me so many things and made me grow up in so many ways. But it has mostly taught me that there is always room in my heart, no matter what my brain thinks. And next summer she will become a permanent fixture to our family. Now I only have to convince her that I make all the wedding plans for her.
Her mom Dawn is so wonderful. What a blessing....but that is for another day.