My heart was captured...twice in one day

Even though it was many years ago, I remember it so clearly. I was working at my office at Interim HealthCare in St. Paul. My sister had an ultrasound that day and her hubby went along to the appointment. I was sitting at my desk when she called. For whatever reason, when I answered the phone, I stood up and was leaning against my desk. I shared an office with my co-worker, Gretchen, and our desks were right next to one another. So we could always hear every word of one another's phone conversations. I remember my sister saying, "Well, there's a reason I'm so big already. We're having twins." I responded with, "Gretchen! My sister is having twins!" And I immediately got choked up. TWINS! Two for the price of one. Oh, man.

While my sister was pregnant, they found out it was two boys. My sister grew. And grew. And grew. I couldn't believe how much her stomach stretched. It looked like she had swallowed a beach ball. She looked uncomfortable all the time but she never had to go on bed rest. Which was good because she had a 19-month old to tend to.

And then, they were here. My sister went in for a scheduled c-section. My mom stayed at their house with their toddler. I waited and waited for the phone call to come while I was at work. I got nothing done that day. Then finally, around 11:00 the call came. My mom said I had two new nephews, born around 10 am. Quitting time couldn't come fast enough that day. I went straight to the hospital after work to see my healthy nephews. For twins, they were not scrawny. My sister had 13 pounds of baby in her!

And now, those two little guys turn six-years-old today. I know there have been many challenging days for their parents in the last six years, but no one would trade these boys for anything. They wrestle, are loud, demand a lot of care, yell at one another, and don't always follow directions at home. But they are also so loving to their little sister, watch out for one another, laugh together, play together, and have captured the hearts of so many. This auntie included.

Sam, you are loud. You always have been. I remember holding you on my shoulder as an infant and you cried so loud I thought my ear was going to start ringing. You have quite the set of lungs. And even though you are sometimes loud, you can also be quite tender. You are your mom's biggest helper, always willing to pitch in. Sometimes you think you run the show and things have to be done your way. But that's just you being a kid with leadership abilities that haven't matured yet. You are going to be quite the leader some day. One of my favorite things is when you cut loose and get silly. You love to laugh and have a good time. You can also put on quite the scowl and we have said, "He is such a crank," more than one time. You are cranky sometimes. It's like an old man lives inside of your little boy body. When you were a toddler you would say, "Sometimes I'm Good Sammy and sometimes I'm Bad Sammy." You do well at school and are so smart. You are inquisitive, ask good questions, try and understand everything going on around you and are very sharp when it comes to figuring out what's going on around you. I love when you sing, I love when you are willing to snuggle, and I love that you never call me by my full name. Just "Melis." Every time.

Jack, you are a one-of-a-kind kid. The first day you were brought home from the hospital I noticed a little bump on your earlobe that's still there to this day. I love it that I noticed it first...probably because I studied you and your brother quite a bit when you were new babies. You have always been so laid back. Quite different from your twin. When you were a baby, the back of your head was flat, so you had to wear a special helmet to shape your head. You didn't mind that thing one bit. You were just as happy as could be. You are the kid who is everyone's friend. You are very good at making friends, and tend to seek out kids who may have a harder time making friends. You like to have a good time. And ever since you were a baby, you were kind of in your own world. In la-la land, just having fun as you learned about life. You are the kid who hates kisses and refuses to give or receive them. If someone sneaks a kiss on you without your permission you are so proud to say, "I wiped it off!" You also do well in school and a lot of classmates are naturally drawn to you. I love when you joke around with me, I love when you give me big hugs, and I love all of the questions you ask.

It has been quite the treat to have a front row seat to see you boys grow into the kindgergartners that you are now. I know that I will turn around and you will be graduating high school. Just thinking about the men you will become causes me to get a little teary-eyed because I'm already so proud of both of you.

I love you, Sam and Jack! Happy Birthday to my special boys!


"Hmmm...what's for lunch?" One day I found Jack like this.



Jack as a toddler



The day Jack got his training wheels removed



With Jack on his 2nd birthday

Sammy used to play in this Cozy Coupe all the time. In fact, they had to get 2 because he was so insistent this car was his only. He called it his "Tozy Toop."

Sammy's spag face

Kisses from my Sammy

Sammy, four-years-old. Sleep-over at my house.

Bundled up together at the Amery Fall Festival. 2010

Sam at the apple orchard

Silly face with Jack. Four-years-old

The twins as toddlers. Someday they will hate me for this photo.