Dear Caitlin,
You were the kind of little girl that it was easy to see the woman inside--independent, and always thinking, and negotiating. Often, when I babysat, I would not see you for hours. You were, perhaps, in your room doing something or at a friends house. No matter where you were, though, you were FINE on your own. I do remember, however, that at the end of the night, often, when the others were in bed, you'd emerge for a bowl of ice cream.
I always used to wonder about you and about what you were thinking.
Now I have children of my own and I have an oldest and he has many of the same personality traits... Sometimes I wonder about him and what he is thinking. And sometimes his independence, like yours, can come across as indifference. But, also like you, it is only an exterior. There is so much underneath.
Last year, when you were in Jerusalem, I started to read your blog. It was beautiful and interesting and honest. The depth of your feeling and testimony and love for family touched and inspired me. What a great woman you have become!
Then when you announced your were getting married there came the inevitable comments. "Marriage is so fun, but it is hard."
I think I know what they mean when they say "marriage is hard," yet, at the same time, I don't. Hopefully your marriage will not be "hard." Hopefully it will be wonderful and interesting and living and growing and changing and adjusting and exciting, and yes, even after a few years, magical. Frankly, that will be up to you.
For myself, when I think about the fact that I get to wake up next to Aaron every morning, I still feel that surge of happiness that was there during courtship. Only it is tempered, now, with more gratitude and a desire to be more and do more for him than previously. He is everything to me.
Then you combine that with children and the Gospel and you'll find that your life is unbelievably full and good.
And then comments that things are "hard" will not matter so much as what the dividends are.
Well, best wishes tomorrow. You'll make a beautiful bride. It's going to be great.
Deborah
They started out as pretty cute pirates but, to my chagrin, ended up stripping much of their costumes and walking around the ward's trunk or treat looking like the tattered little orphan boys who's mommy was too tired (or too broke) to dress them for Halloween. I hope this doesn't mean that I will be getting more* hand-me-downs doorbell ditched in the coming weeks.
ot away without even picking up candy (the boys seemed happy enough just to hand it out and watch the endless parade.) But the inner-Mommy inside of me finally prevailed so we traipsed around to a few cars and drove home appropriately sticky and tired after the night's festivities.
I can't believe it has been eight years * I was in college--my Mom told me about the first plane and then the pentagon while I was getting ready * My first class that morning was empty--the teacher had written on the board "no class today, go home and be with your families" * I called my best friends--they were still in bed, had no idea... * We spent the day in shocked silence * Everyone stood quietly, eyes glued to the TVs in the halls * My last class that day was at 7 p.m. My teacher, not an American, said "Your President is speaking, get out of here and go listen to him" We filed out in silence to another building and sat in tears with the rest of the nation as we heard the address * I went home that day defeated, almost scared, not knowing if more attacks where imminent--wondering how my family felt.. * Headache, overwhelming heaviness of heart * The next morning: flags flying everywhere, flag stickers on cars, wearing red-white-and blue, standing in long lines to give blood * Most heart-wrenching of all: watching hundreds of people on the news standing in front of hospitals and on the streets holding pictures of the missing asking anyone "have you seen him?" "have you seen her?" * The worst and the best of humanity displayed * United We Stand 
Dear Caitlin,
