Dear Sweet Grandbaby,
I want to write something for you every week until you’re born so that when you come into this world, you’ll already know lots of stuff! So, the first thing I want you to know is that you are not alone. You are a part of a big, loud family. In fact, you are a part of a couple of them – but I’m only in charge of telling you about one of them. We are your Stern family, and we are:
Uncle Josiah: Seriously, the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. I’m excited you get this one for an uncle because he’s GREAT with babies. He’s fun and funny and he’ll teach you about video games and baseball cards and he’s already saving his favorite books for you. Between your Stern family and your Parnell family, you’ve pretty much won the Uncle lottery. Hope you’re prepared.
Aunty Tess: Tess is lovely. Remember that when you get sick of her taking your picture. Because she will. All. The. Time. She doesn’t talk as much as the rest of us, but pay close attention when she does because she only says cool stuff. Tess is just one year from graduating high school. Please amp up the charm whenever she’s around so maybe she’ll want to stick close to home.
Aunty Victoria: Oh, goodness. How to describe her? Sometimes I think I shouldn’t explain her – I should just let you experience her. Okay, let’s see. It will be like having Mary Poppins and William Shakespeare for an aunt. Do those names mean anything to you? Probably not. That’s exactly why you’re going to need Aunt Tori. She lives in Portland so – again – anything you can do to lure her back this direction would be greatly appreciated by your grandma (me!)
Speaking of Grandma (me!): I am your mom’s mom and that’s mostly what you need to know because it’s one of the four most important things I’ve ever done. Another most important thing I do is cook our big family a big dinner every Sunday. You will love Family Dinner because we eat and talk and laugh and argue about stuff and learn new things and watch Food Network. Yes, we are pretty fond of food.
Grandpa: Hmmm…what to say? Your grandpa is the love of my life and the bravest man I’ve ever known. He is strong, even though he is sick. He is kind, even when things are hard. He is the best hugger and he cannot wait to hold you.
Your mom: Her real name is Whitney but you’re not supposed to call her that. Still, if you DO occasionally call her that, I will not be mad because she occasionally calls me Bo. Your mom is beautiful and talented and wise, and she has wanted you for a very long time. She married the right man at the right time and you will constantly be embarrassed when she calls him “Nuuuunnnny…” But that’s okay, because there will come a day when you discover that having parents who love each other is quite a gift. One tip for life with your mom: always tell the truth. You’ll know what I mean the first time you don’t (I warned you).
Your Dad: his real name is Corey and he is very strong. He is exactly the kind of guy that every kid would want for a dad. He’ll teach you things about music and life and Jesus and love and responsibility and all the stuff you need to know. Whether you are a boy or a girl, he will cry tears of joy and he will love buying you clothes. You’re going to love him.
These are your people (actually, a fraction of your people). You are us and we are you and we would – every single one of us – lay our lives down to keep you safe, strong and happy. Always, always know it.
Love you like crazy,
Us
That was awesome and secretly I wish I was one of your grandbabies getting an awesome note like that! Hahaha
Love this, Bo! Mainly because I love you Sterns. It was so incredibly wonderful to see most of you, if briefly, this weekend. Tori’s description is spot-on & makes me want to take a trip to Portland just to spend some time with her. 🙂
utter sweetness. 🙂
Your Mom’s Mom is also a woman who will be there for you in any circumstance. She will embrace your fears with you and help you fight them with everything she has. She is a woman of God if I’ve ever known one. When she speaks from the pulpit ALWAYS bring your notebook… or laptop.. because you won’t want to miss anything she says. You are so blessed to have a Grammy like her. So blessed.
-Just thought your description needed a little bit more Bo 😉
A wonderful family indeed. All the love expressed here made me cry. Happy tears. What a blessed baby.
Tess is also a very good camp counselor, according to my granddaughter who was in her cabin for 180JV camp. Tess showed the love of Jesus to all the kids in her cabin, and they all had a great time.
So love hearing you talk about your grandbaby! You are going to be so great. Can’t wait to see you and Steve lovin’ on that baby.
Fully cried at this sweet post. So glad to know you and to be living near when that baby arrives. I love God’s timing in my life to make that possible! Love you.
Bo, You will be an amazing grammy. It is one of the precious gifts God gives us women! And seeing your daughter hold her child will be a joy to behold!
I read it to baby and “shim” loved it! I bet it was moving around so excited to meet everyone!
gpa tim is excited for you.
nothing like it.