Valentine's Day 1975

February 14, 1975 marked the last day in 20 or so years that Lloyd and I celebrated Valentine's Day the way it is supposed to be celebrated. On that day 34 years ago our third child and second daughter, Amy Luellen, was born and Valentine's Day became instead Amy's Birthday. As with all my kids, she was 2 weeks late arriving, but I didn't mind. We already had an almost two and almost 3 year old at home so we had plenty to keep us busy while we waited for Amy to put in an appearance.



Hers was a very easy birth. I had never heard of an epidural back then so of course I didn't have one - natural childbirth all the way! And we didn't do routine ultrasounds back then either so we didn't know if we were having a boy or a girl. It really didn't matter at that point because we already had one of each and this third one was a tie-breaker. What really moved me to tears during labor and delivery was when I was hooked up to a fetal monitor and for the first time I heard my unborn baby's heartbeat fill the room. It was an amazing and emotional experience for me. After the standard 5-day stay in the hospital (such a lovely rest) we went home and Amy became part of our daily life.

Her name, appropriately, means "beloved". We didn't know it at the time, we just liked the sound of it, but it made us feel good when we learned that we named our Valentine baby so well. Her middle name, Luellen, is also my mother's middle name.

Amy, at 18 months, with Lad

Amy at 4-years old.

Amy in Elementary School

She has grown into a remarkable young woman - wife, mother of 3, registered nurse, and nurse instructor. She's a beautiful, loving, peaceful, compassionate woman. I'm proud to call her my daughter.

High School Graduation

Amy and Curtis, August 10, 2001

Curtis and Amy with Sydney, Aidan and Mackenzie

Amy today at her 34th birthday party.