Theresa

 After my parent's divorce, I did wonder on occasion if my dad would ever find someone to spend the rest of his life with. One Summer when I was 7, my dad, myself, and my sister spend 3 months in California with my grandparents. At the time, my dad was attending the singles' ward in the area. I didn't think too much of us spending time with Theresa. I liked visiting her apartment. We would always go swimming in the pool in her complex, watch The Jungle Book, and when no one was watching, I harassed her poor cat Jasmine, who hated kids. (Don't judge! He was so mean!) Little did I know that my dad and Theresa were getting pretty serious. Theresa was a regular at her singles ward. She had lots of guys wanting to date her and was even purposed to! She just felt like there was something different about my dad. I remember very well the moment that Theresa was going to really be in our lives. We were driving home from California and I told my dad that the drive would be faster and we would get home sooner, if her would take his arm off from around Theresa.... I was such a brat and lucky for me, that didn't scare Theresa off, although- there where many times that came later, that I am sure she wanted to go running to the hills! Theresa and my dad got married in September of 1991. My sister and I were included in the wedding as flower girls. Fast forward over 20 years and my dear step mom is still with us! It was a bumpy ride here and there. It was bound to happen, blending a family together. I remember the first time I lied to Theresa, I took something and then lied about it, she caught me red handed. I apologized and soon learned that I wasn't going to mess with my new step mom.

 Theresa was the glue that held us together growing up. She made new traditions for us with my dad, she made sure that we upheld those traditions. Family home evening, prayer at meal times, making sure we ALL made it to church EVERY Sunday, and the most important one to me growing up was the "Office" policy. When we had an issue with anyone in our family, we had an office policy that we would step into that office "a quiet area" and talk openly about the issue and get it resolved. I feel like that helped me alot growing up to learn how to voice my frustrations and upset. What has been an absolute joy and has made an impact on my life for the better is Theresa bringing my half sister Shelby and half brother Hunter into this world to join our family. Some of the best and most precious moments in my young life, and even now, were getting to care for and be apart of my siblings lives. I love them so much and can't imagine my life without them. As the years have gone on and I have moved away from home, Theresa and I still have this unspoken connection. I still force her to hug me when she is sad and she teaches me to be more humble and respectful. She is a fun loving mother and grandma. Our kids love seeing her and she always has dum dum's and mac and cheese at her house for them. I love Theresa's home cooking, her laugh (when at times can get so out of control, she might pee her pants) the way her sweaters she has owned forever smell (because all of us girls have worn them) how she puts pepper in her mac n' cheese, how organized and prepared she is. Above all, Theresa is strong. She has the attitude of getting things done herself and has taught me to make myself more self reliant. I love you Theresa. I loved you 21 years ago in that car on the way to Utah and I love you now. Hope you know that you are my inspiration!