Uncle Randy:
When I found out I was pregnant with Haven (at 16 years old), Uncle Randy was working on that job out in the mountains for the forestry service, on wildfire watch. Nobody probably knows this, but he wrote me a letter when he got the news. I wish to God that I could find that letter, because I wanted to keep it forever, and I still think about it often. In essence, he wrote in the letter about how life sometimes throws you curveballs, and when those curveballs come, we adapt and make a way, and keep on living.
When I got pregnant, I expected nothing but judgment. Not just from the family, but from everyone. I remember thinking, “Thank God grandma Hazel isn’t here to witness this”. So when I got that letter from Randy, it profoundly affected me. I was not met with judgment, only acceptance, love, and rational encouragement. Those words coming from such an unwavering spirit made me believe that I could get through this predicament and come out okay.

Aunt Lois:
She makes motherhood look easy and fun. She was so excited about having a baby around, you’d never know that Haven wasn’t her own grandson! She brings a creativity and whimsy to parenting that makes it feel attainable and fun even for those of us who never planned to become mothers.
One particular memory I have from childhood is sitting in the RV with Ryan, and Aunt Lois teaching us how to play penny poker 😂

So, all of these things about Uncle Randy and Aunt Lois, taken together, really make them a force to be reckoned with. Uncle Randy, the rational speculator, and Aunt Lois, the loving, nurturing, hilarious matriarch, you just can’t beat that dynamic. They are a love that many people attempt and very few attain. The timeless love story that we all want so badly to believe still exists.

Thank you both for having such a formative influence on me and my family!

AND HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

- Shay Hinds