Kyra Appreciation Day

Today is Kyra's birthday, and I wanted to do something special and different for Kyra, not just the usual gift/card/dinner combination. So I asked our friends on Facebook to write her a note. Here are some of the responses:

From Kim: "This is awesome... right on the cusp of two special *yays* for you... Happy Anniversary and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! This must be a VERY special week every year. Enjoy every minute that you can!"

From Marquis: "Happy birthday dear darling daughter! You and the rest of us have a lot to celebrate... What a joy and blessing you are! You are a shining example of what it is to be a wife, a mom, and a daughter... (As well as niece, cousin, and friend to many!) Enjoy your special day dear."

From Steph: "Happy birthday, Kyra! You are an awesome mom, pretty as a picture, and super smart. I hope your day is most excellent. Have a second piece of cake and take a bubble bath tonight!"

From Carla: "Happy Birthday Kyra!!! I love you more than you know! Like I said earlier, your marriage and the way you are a mother to Luca is my inspiration. If I had a child, I would want to raise him the way you're raising Luca. Luca is honestly one of the best kids I have ever known. (It's probably because his parents are so completely amazing!) I love you!"

Carla also wrote a blog entry (see her blog for pictures, too):

Kyra is a wonderful wife, mother and best friend. She is one of the most beautiful people I have ever known. She glows inside and out. I love that she ... includes me in her life as much as she does. She always thinks of me and includes me in activities that, for most young families, are just a Mom-Dad-Baby activity.

I usually eat dinner at their house at least once a week - and not just because Kyra is an AMAZING cook. I think her turkey meatloaf might be my favorite. OR maybe the turkey she made for Christmas. Yes, Christmas. I should write about that - I didn't know if I was going to have somewhere to go for Christmas, and in less than a second Kyra said that I could spend it with them. I loved spending Christmas with Kyra, Chris, and Luca.

Now to talk about what a wonderful Mom Kyra is. She works full time. And she cooks and cleans and raises her little boy and still finds time for her husband and me. I can't believe I'm included in that sentence. But I am and I'm so grateful for it. Kyra has the cutest son in the world. Luca. My honorary nephew. Most of the time, I leave out the 'honorary' because Kyra is like a sister to me. I love her that much. I love watching her take care of Luca. The other night they made muffins together - and I had to take photos and video, it was THAT adorable.

I just can't say enough nice things about this woman. She has changed my life and made it better.

From Me: "Kyra, you're a wonderful wife and mother, and I am very proud of you. You are not only smart, but wise, patient, and kind. There's no one I'd rather talk to about the myriad of interests we share, and there's no one else I'd rather spend my time with. I am very lucky to have you in my life. There are so many reasons... I hope I have another 25 years to tell you all of them."

Kyra, I hope you had a great birthday! I love you, forever!