2 years ago

two years ago, i met one of the most important families that has yet to come into my life. it's hard to believe that it's only been two years, because i feel like i have been a part of their lives for so much longer than that.

i wish i could go back to that day i met kris, selina and kaden and tell myself what i know now. i wish i could go back to every day that i spent with this family, and remind myself to soak in every moment of time i had with them. i wish i could go back to the times that i chose not to spend time with them, and change my mind. i wish i had made time to have had just one more day with that family as a whole.

it's easy to focus on the anniversary of the day we lost kris, but today, i want to focus on the time when i met him. little did i know how big of an impact he would make on my life and i wish i could sit him down and tell him so many things and say thank you.

not only is this time of the year such a special time for his son, kaden, as he turns another year older, but also it is a time that i will always remember as the time when stephen and i met kris. i love how the celebration of kaden's life, kris's very own legacy, reminds me of the life i came to know in his father.

kris, our family still misses you very much every day. stephen will find your picture and he knows that you are kaden's daddy. you will always be "uncle kris" in our family and we are forever thankful for the short time we got to spend with you. i miss making you lasagna and pork tenderloin. i hate throwing away leftovers, because i never had any with you around! i miss calling you looking for my husband because he never answered his phone. i miss never knowing whether to call you sergeant rodgers, or kris. i miss buying you cheap beer so i could come over to watch chick flicks with your wife and end up getting sucked into a redwings game instead.  i miss all the times our families could have had together with you in them. but with all the things i miss, i will never miss my memories, because you are very much alive in those and i wouldn't trade them for anything. as few as they may

i can still hear the laughter in these pictures from kaden's 3rd birthday party

happy birthday, on wednesday, kaden!! you are such a special little boy and you have great things ahead of you!! i can't wait to see all of your dreams unfold. i am so proud of you and hope you know how much i love you and miss you. uncle justin, stephen and i will ALWAYS be here for you, no matter what!!!
love,
miss miranda

to my best friend, selina:
there are no words to express the joy that fills my heart to see you thriving the way that you are. you are like a sister to me and i love you with all my heart. i thank our husbands everyday for bringing us together that day in the park!! i knew there was something different about you after our first "date" at the movies and i was right. you are truly an amazing woman and i'm proud to know you.