Eighteen Years Old

This is a special day. Today the twins turned 18. The big 1 and 8. I can't believe it. So many changes will come in the next year for them and us. They will graduate from high school on May 25th. Whoa!!!! So excited for them but also excited for me because I will not be helping to write papers, or at least feeling the pressure of getting them to write papers. Then, two days later, the twins move out and into a house in West Yellowstone with their friends and will work for five months. I don't know what I will do without their laughing and quoting television shows at every meal. What will I trip over as I walk in the door? Their shoes will not be there. The very long hair will not be woven through the fibers of every shirt I pull out of the dryer. I'm going to miss them. 

When their work is completed in West they will both head to college and will find new adventures and opportunities. Their will build new friendships and relationships. They won't need me as much then. That is exactly as it should be but I would be lying if I didn't say that hurts my heart a lot. After a semester of college they will be off on their missions which will bring a whole new element to everything. Actually, as I write this I realize this is my last month to enjoy the twinners just as I always have - close beside me.

I have told people that I am so excited for these girls to go, to move out, leave me as an empty nester. All the quarrels and messes leave with them. But that isn't true. I'm not one bit happy for them to go. I'm not ready. But, they are. That's what is important and what we have been preparing them for. I'm so proud of them. 

So, happy birthday Adri and Katy, Twin A and Twin B, or my Twinners. I love you more than you will ever know!

Life is good - 18 years of looking at these beautiful miracles has helped make it so.