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To My One and Only Daughter on her 18th Birthday: 
Boy-oh-boy, where do I start? Let’s just start at the beginning. When I first found out I was expecting a baby, I wanted you to be a girl sooooo bad, I couldn’t stand it. On April 25th 1992, my wish came true. I am so proud to be your mother and so proud that you are my daughter. You have yet to stop amazing me and I hope you never do.
When you were a little girl, I loved dressing you in cute little girl clothes and showing you off. For a couple years in a row, you loved to participate in the BPW Fashion Show with Kay Rhame. Most of your teachers always told me the same thing…you are a social butterfly and you enjoy talking.
Remember when you were in dance class and your little costume was a sun? I love that memory; it’s one of my favorites. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy ~ when skies are gray, you will never know dear ~ how much I love you so please don’t take my sunshine away.
All the sports you played…soccer, softball, gymnastics and cheerleading. All the meets, games and competitions we attended. Even going to Las Vegas for a cheerleading competition…just you and I…boy did we have a good time? With cheerleading being your sport of choice, you have shown how to fight for what you believe in…Cheerleading is now considered a sport at PHS. I am proud of you for not giving up when times got tough or the many times you were kicked or knocked down in the middle of a stunt. I am proud of you for cheering on your PHS Indians. Your mom is and always will be your biggest fan.
I am proud of you for taking care of your little brothers. Nick loves to go bumming around town with you and riding shotgun in your car. Even though he’s only 10, he thinks he’s a teenager when he’s with you. Tommy, a lot of people talk about how he is so stinkin’ cute. How lucky you are that he’s your brother? Luke, we all know Lukie is your favorite and how often you tell him you love him and he always says, “I Love You Too, Sissie”. Could you imagine your life without your little brothers? I appreciate you setting great examples for them and being a fantastic role model for them. They will always look up to you as their big sister.
I am proud of you for having a wonderful relationship with your favorite step-dad, Ken. Life is so much easier when we all get along J You have an extended family that loves you as their own and you should feel proud to have such a big, loving family. They will always be there for you, Steph ~ no matter what! I am proud of you for spending time with your Great Grammy, taking her shopping and out for lunch. Poppy couldn’t be more proud of you either. Grandma and Papa Tyrka are extremely proud of you too. Papa even came to your Fall Senior Night in the pouring down rain and freezing cold just to see you walk across the football field as a Senior. You are the best granddaughter and great-granddaughter any grandparent could ask for.
I am proud of you for volunteering in your community and helping me when I get myself involved in way too many things at once (the Sheriff’s golf outing, Relay For Life, Fashion Shows, the Mayor’s Ball, Willowcreek Parents In Action, many Drug Education Programs, Jones School PTO, Cabin Fever, more golf outings, etc., etc.) You have helped me in every one of these and I don’t think I could have pulled them off without your help. Everything we have done for these events has been successful. They all took a lot of time, hard work and organization, but we accomplished the goals we set for each event. Thank you, Steph. I know you wish I would say “no” more often, but I just can’t turn people down when they ask for help. It is so rewarding at the end of the day to know that you and I accomplished something so wonderful and so successful. I am proud of you for giving back to your community and to people in need. You have also volunteered your own time by working the concession stand for Portage Youth Basketball and the Portage Little League. Again, all those young kids are looking up to you and I am glad they have a great role model to look up to.
I am proud of you for attending the Afternoon Rocks Program through the Portage YMCA and naming Lindsey Miller as your role model when the Times Newspaper interviewed you. I am even proud of you for dressing up in a cigarette butt costume and dancing down Central Avenue.
I am proud of you for going to Indianapolis to serve as a Senate Page with Senator Karen Tallian. What a great honor and experience.
I am proud of you for being involved in Portage Youth Commission and working with Mayor Velazquez to promote recycling within our City and schools, and raking leaves for senior citizens. Again, giving back to your community and people in need.
I am proud of you for being a true friend to many. You have helped your friends through some very traumatic times in their lives. Life experiences will make you a stronger person in the long run.
I am proud of you for being named Student of the Month by the Portage Exchange Club, for receiving the MVP Award for Cheerleading, for participating in the Prom Fashion Show and for being involved in Natural Helpers.
I am really proud of you and you made my heart happy when you offered to take a “special needs” friend to her Winter Dance at Fegley Middle School.
There are many, many reasons why I am proud of you, and I could go on and on all day. You have accomplished a lot in 18 years. Keep up the good work and know that I will always be there for you and I will always love you… I promise.
Happy 18th Birthday!
Love,
Mom