The first time I met her, she held the door open for me, beaming. I saw her take a double take, most people do with me. When done up, I don’t usually look in my 40 with a boat load of kids that all emerged from my womb. I am sure she was checking to see if the story meets the cover. Her energy was like a spring morning, except the light came from her huge almond shaped eyes and that smile. I can’t say I have ever seen a friendlier and more welcoming face be as physically beautiful at the same time. I have discovered from years in the fashion industry that pretty people don’t have to work as hard. She wasn’t working hard; I knew in that moment, she is an anomaly.

That night we spent some time talking and exchanging a little of our lives and I decided I wanted to be friends with her. I choose a friend like I have chosen lovers usually an instant attraction and then a long courtship. I am a loyal long term friend. When I choose it is a big commitment for me and being a creative I like isolating. I am picky, I have to be.

What happened next was a plotting to keep her here. She had just started dating the man I started working for. She was up in our little slice of Alaska, very much like the Men in Trees series that ran on ABC awhile back. She is a working screenplay writer from LA and I knew that if she wasn’t head over heels for this guy and they weren’t headed on the path for the family way that it wasn’t the geography that was going to keep her here. This place is very lonely and secluded in the winters. In Lake Almanor people really have to want to be here. Living here is far from a relationship of convenience. It is hard and rich.

 As I spent time with them both I knew they were a family waiting to happen. Her beau, my boss, a good looking strong fierce caretaker of a man. He would make sure no one messed with his princess and she was free to be her creative wonderful self. Most men try to harness that energy. He was happy to be near it. I was certain this was a sacred match, so began my meddling and plotting of the hurry up to get them married and make a family already. We are burning day light here. Besides I don’t want to be stuck here without a creative companion. Yes I had selfish motives. I gave her my fertility goddess to hang in the house before they were even engaged. It was laughable, but I had 6 babies, so maybe it was the goddess I had in my house. I like to say I did it, but I can say between me and this baby’s Yaya that we both knew way before anyone else SHE (see cutest 2 month old baby below) was supposed to be here and they were the vehicle. They took their damn time, but she’s finally here and she’s even better than I predicted. I see an absolute equal slice of both of them and then her authentic sweet self.  Perfection. Every time I see her I get happy. Our whole family loves this baby and her parents aren’t so bad themselves….

HI