Well who knew that this girl would be HOME for her 19th Birthday?

Despite the circumstances, we are certainly happy to have her! But I also know that there is now some Hawaii in her that won’t come out and there’s a longing to head back to her little island…and I love that! I love that she is growing and evolving!

Maybe I’ll just launch right into what I love about her- there are so many things – so consider this a sampling…

• She is growing and evolving! Growing up is not easy! Sure it has it’s perks of being able to do your own thing, but there is a responsibility that you take on. An ownership of your own life and own outcomes. Zandra is learning that and taking it all in – and doing so gracefully!

• I love how she is keen to do “hard things”. It has always been a bit of a joke between us – my belief that it is the hard that makes you strong – and it is the hard that actually makes it good! We may laugh about it – but she tries to challenge herself and do hard things!

• Her smile. It radiates. She lights up a room when she smiles!

• Her laugh – it is infectious and bubbly and makes everyone around smile too!

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• She gives the best, tighest, sneeziest hugs! You feel so grounded and so present when she gives when of her hugs!

• Her artistic talents – she does such beautiful artwork and her art has so much emotion in it.

• Her sense of style. She pulls off so many styles and she is ever changing with them.

• Her fabulous makeup and hair talents. If my make up ever looks good, you know she has done it!

• Her courage: So many times I have seen her just walk up and face the lion – look him straight in the eye and kick his butt. So impressive!

• Her writing skills – she writes such beautiful stories and is very poetic,

• Her singing voice – when you hear her sing – she really does sound like an angel. But she can also belt out a loud karaoke song too!

• Her dancing skills – from hip hop to hula – she knows them all, she does them all with such grace and ease! She knows how to move not he dance floor and can lead the way for any dance party!

• Her huge huge heart. She is a giver and a lover. She loves deeply and makes you feel so important and loved!

• She is a great conversationalist. She can hold up her end of a conversation – as well as everyone else’s! She knows how to ask questions and she is curious about other people.

• Her love of animals. Reggie loves how she talks dog to him and gives him some good love!

• She is a thinker and a ponderer. She take things to heart and likes to think deeply about them.

• She is intelligent and makes school her priority! She worked hard and even got a scholarships this year!

• She is a hard worker – she put the effort into school AND was working as well. She scheduled her time and made sure she always got it all done!

• She is an awesome step daughter! She is kind and caring. She is funny and entertaining. I love our FaceTime calls when she is in Hawaii, love our chats while making dinner, love our talks about future dreams and past moments. I am one lucky step mom.

Wishing her a bright and adventure filled year! This is probably not how she envisioned celebrating 19 – but she is rolling with it (another admirable quality!) We love and adore her so much !

Happy Birthday Zandra B! Love you!