aint nothin better than 23

This is my first post on the blog, and it's a very important one - Stephanie Newcomb is 23 years old today!

I met you when we were only 10. Now, here you are, 13 years later, and I can’t help but to love you more every day.
When I think about your life so far, many events pop in my head, whether it was a story you told me, or something I experienced first-hand.

Here are a few of my favorites:

You were in 4^th grade and new to your school - and there was a sack lunch bandit on the loose! The kids in your class were losing their food to some unknown, well-nourished thief.
After this had gone on for a few days, a girl spotted the culprit. She went to the teacher with the surprising news.
That day, you walked in from recess, and in front of the entire class, the Teacher looked at you and said, “I know what you’ve been doing”. With shock, you replied, “What?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ve been stealing these kids’ lunches!”
You felt completely embarrassed, more vulnerable then you had ever felt. Before you could say anything, the eyewitness said, “No, not her. It was the other Stephanie!”
You didn’t commit the crime, but you had felt like you did, as you stood in front of your class, wrongly accused by your own teacher.

I always feel for you when I hear that story. But then I laugh :)

Another good one, was when you were playing video games at Godfather’s Pizza. You, a young girl at the time, were told by your Dad that it was time to leave. But not if it was up to Stephanie – you needed more quarters for more games!
Because you were so adamant about playing more games, your dad was forced to almost drag you out of Godfather’s. You began to scream, “Help me! This man is not my dad! Help!”
I can only imagine being a person in the restaurant, contemplating whether I save this little girl from being kidnapped, or not. Better yet, being your dad, as your own daughter proclaimed you as an abductor in a room full of strangers. But luckily, you didn’t seem convincing enough, as everyone continued minding their own business.

But selfishly, my favorite memory about your 23 years, is when I met you for the first time. You were new to the neighborhood, and your Grandma Kathy was introducing this very cute girl to all the neighbor kids. I was fresh off a nice slide from the Slip ‘N Slide, my 10-year-old biceps gleaming in the sun. I quickly put on my shirt, so I wouldn’t intimidate you with my blindingly, egg-white skin.
As your grandma introduced you to all of us, I could not wipe the stupid smile off of my face. Knowing almost nothing about you, I later told Kristen “I think I like her” – also knowing full well that this 10-year-old gossip queen would quickly deliver that information to Stephanie.
It was like at first sight – the first girl I ever liked. I mean there was Pam Harding in the 4^th grade, but I only “liked” her for her taste in lunch boxes (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).
I then spent the rest of the summer walking by Kristen’s or your grandparent’s house – just hoping that you were outside. And 13 years later, not much has changed. I value every moment I have with you. You are an amazing person, Steph. I love you.

Goodbye Double Deuce. Happy Birthday, Stephanie!

Here's a little ditty to celebrate your 23rd.