Eighty Years Young

80 years ago today a very wonderful man entered this beautiful world and this weekend we were able to all get together and celebrate Grandpa Hartley's life with lots of family and family friends. We had great aunts come in from Oklahoma, one which actually shares the same birthday as Grandpa but was turning 88! Anyone up for an interesting family fact? Perfect…Aunt Ida married my grandpa's brother, Don and not only did Grandpa Hartley and Ida share the same birthday but so did Grandma Hartley and Don (October 12th if anyone is counting). So for those of you who are scratching their head, my grandpa shared a birthday with his SIL and my grandma shared a birthday with her SILs husband, AKA BIL.

Anyways, back to the party. It was so great to see family that we haven't seen for awhile and to once again listen to the stories which Grandpa, Ida, Joann and John told. They could have told stories forever and I could have sat there and listened for just as long. I have always, always loved sitting around my grandpa's table and listening to him and grandma talk about their families and growing up. Let's face it, it my family history and I find it fascinating and some day, I hope to be having the same type of conversations with my boys and their kids…

Happy Birthday Grandpa. We love you so very, very much and I have been blessed to have you in my life for these past 29 years. I can only hope and wish that the love that Justin and I share for one another can someday rival what you and grandma have. To this day, I can't think of two people who love each other more than you do and although she has passed, I can still see your love growing for her more each day. You truly are an inspiration for us all.