Appa Always
- Dear Appa, You make us proud, sometimes. You are funny, sometimes. You are always right, sometimes. You are better than mommy, sometimes. You make the best sandwiches, sometimes. You make us food and drinks, so we don’t starve. (And sometimes you make yourself a drink, too.) You say yes[...]
Between Us
- Dear Jason, They say love is an uphill climb. If fourteen years has taught us anything, it means choosing to climb that hill, together. Whatever it takes, with all it takes. That's how we ended up on that bench, with the most rewarding view. But getting to that seat was no easy feat. Despite t[...]
Turning 45
- Dear Appa, Lately, we've been wondering what you were like before you became our Appa. Learning of your likes, and many more dislikes. Realizing that you're not in fact allergic to cucumbers, and ther[...]
Your Love Is Like...
- Dear Appa, Whether it's the sound of your heavy steps coming down the stairs like an earthquake, the way you enter a room like a typhoon, or the way you shake the house with your thunderous tackles and torrential tickles, your presence is loud, and you make your presence known. So much so that e[...]
Shift
- Dear Appa, Change happens. And it can happen in a blink of an eye. When the world suddenly shifted to stay-at-home, we saw you shift too. We saw you transition into a stay-at-home-chef, a stay-at-home-teacher. A stay-at-home-coffee-connoisseur, a stay-at-home-nine-to-fiver. A stay-at-home-fi[...]
A Father's Love
- Dear Jason, It's been one year since Appa passed away and I wasn’t sure what emotions this Father's Day would bring. Ultimately, I'm reminded of the blessing of our Father's Love and I find peace in knowing that Appa lives in you, you will live on in our daughters and our Father live[...]
Still Emma
Dear Emma,
8 years ago, on a snowy New Year’s Eve Eve evening, I distinctly remember a quiet moment when it was just me and you in our semi-private hospital room. Appa had just run out to pick up McDonald's for dinner. You were born just hours ago and you were lying down, cuddled up, skin to ski[...]
Little One
- Dear Romy, Your warm bear hugs first thing in the morning Your sweet puppy kisses at the end of a long day. Your bright smile that fills my heart. Your infectious laugh that fills our home. It’s the little things you do that go a long way. Your obsession for Ninja Kids, monkey bars and s[...]
Twelve
- Dear Jason, When I reflect back on “what was” I’m reminded of “where” we first began and "where" our story took us. Chapter by chapter, I look back fondly on our best moments and the ones that didn’t bring out our best. Still grateful for every unexpected bump in the road, for every mountain[...]
Stops and Starts
- Dear Zoey, We’ve travelled miles to get to this major milestone. There were many starts and stops along the way. 10 years ago was the start of the most amazing chapter in my life. We named you Zoey which means life and sure enough, it gave a new meaning to mine. 8 years ago, you were the r[...]
More
- Dear Appa, Who do we love more, Appa or mommy? It’s a question you love to ask, while holding us tightly with a “you-better-say-Appa-not-mommy” grip. Who do we love more? We quickly learned to safely answer that question by saying “Appa.” Then when you’re not looking, we’d quickly shift our eyes [...]
Rainbow Bear
- Dear Emma, Our Ice Bear, but Nice Bear. You coloured our world, 15 days early. Weighing in at 6 lbs, 8 oz, you were the smallest one out of your sisterly bear bunch. You have proven that Polar Bears are in fact born teeny tiny with hair so sparse, but they eventually grow to be larger than [...]
All Day, All the Time
- Dear Romy, My small but mighty, fun and free spirited child. My littlest sidekick with the strongest kick but who also happens to pack the biggest punch. The one who fully knows how to kick back and live life to the fullest, from demanding back scratches to leg and foot massages after a long [...]
Eleven.
- Dear Jason, Two months ago, you spent your birthday at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Yesterday, you spent our Anniversary at The Hospital for Sick Children. Either we have terrible luck or we're just terrible parents. But really I suspect our girls are trying to steal our shine. This p[...]
Yuna
- Dear Zoey Yuna, Turning, changing, growing. You are a tiger turned Yuna-corn. I think it may have happened around seven magical months ago, around the same time you got your magical, sparkly, brand new rainbow-tastic braces. It all happened right before my eyes, in a blink of an eye. A tru[...]
681 Miles
- Dear Jason, You plan. You're a planner. Even your plans have plans. But nothing could prepare you for what happened on the morning of your birthday. On our much anticipated, nine years in the making, family road trip to Virginia Beach, you had many pit stops planned out but a pit stop to the [...]
This is our Appa
- Dear Appa, When we look at you, what do we see? We see your belly that sticks out just a tad bit. We see your scratchy chin and overgrown helmet hair. We see your big wrestling arms and your tickle monster hands. We see a Sir Yells-A-Lot. And a Mr. Clean Drill Sergeant. If you're no[...]
In an Emma Minute
- Dear Emma, For you, some things just take time. Like finishing your meal. Cleaning up your toys. Finishing your homework. Getting dressed. Getting your attention. Getting out the door. Even blowing out one small candle. Some things even take six years. Like finishing your meal. Mast[...]
Look
- Dear Romy, my roamer. Born in the year of the Horse, wild and free, you love to run and roam, of course. Born into a family with two sisters, a Tiger and a Dragon, you've always loved company and embraced chaos. You've always had a strong kick yet a twinkle to your trot. You stand your groun[...]
Mount 10
- Dear Jason, And so here we are. 10 years up and off the ground. Somewhere on this steep and slippery slope. We are here. At the beginning of our forever, we stood at the base of what we would soon come to realize was our mountain. 10 years back, at the base, we dreamed big. Backpackin[...]
Tiger
- Dear Zoey, Born in the year of the tiger. You are one of its kind. You are not just a tiger. You are our timid tiger. You have a loud roar, yet you are afraid to let others hear even a peep. You are nervous in front of crowds, but feel at ease close to your tribe. You have quite the a[...]
Plus
- Dear Jason, This past year, there were pluses. And there were minuses. And then there were minuses that divided us. But through it all, it added up to another blessed year. Rewind back ten plus years and the pluses outnumbered the minuses. Or at least it seemed to outshine them. It was [...]
Hats
- Dear Appa, You wear hats. Many of them. Brown, black, green, warm, casual and spiffy. When you wear your clown hat, you make us laugh until our tummies and cheeks hurt. And when our tummies and cheeks hurt, you quickly change into your doctor dad hat. Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, you put on [...]
Hands
- Dear Emma, Five years ago, I was in awe of how tiny your fingers and toes were. Five days ago, I can't believe you turned five years old. That's one whole hand! Through the short five years, your feet have already journeyed so many miles and your hands have accomplished so many things. Now [...]