If you had told me, a year and a half ago that right now I would be married, and have a son, I would have sent you straight to the loony bin.
In this year I made eight great friends and met a man that really does love me. I have learned so much from this group of people
Nick and his siblings taught me that there is such thing as a non-dysfunctional family. Before I met them I thought that every family had huge problems. Now I know that all families have problems, but there are a few special ones that have a special bond. The Carter family is one of those few, and I hope that my family is one also.
Kevin taught me that some things need to be taken seriously, but you should always take time to have fun, also.
AJ taught me that shopping is a healthy habit that you need to indulge in every once in a while, even if It is to get away from everything.
Howie taught me that you have to have patience. And that with patience comes grace. But peace keeping will forever be his role in our group of friends.
Nick himself taught me that no matter how old you are, you can still be a kid at heart. He also taught me that family is extremely important to have to survive during difficult times.
BJ taught me that no matter who your family is to the rest of the world they are still your family to you and that never changes.
Leslie taught me that in order to get people to open up, sometimes you have to open up to them first.
Angel taught me that happiness is achieved much easier with the help of a few people that care.
Aaron has taught me that you should always take time to have fun, no matter how hard you work, or how important it seems.
Brian taught me that love is a very strong emotion. It can either be there as soon as you meet someone, of can build out of friendship.
These people, who I consider my family, have taught me very important lessons on life. Their families have shown me what it is like to have a family that loves you no matter what happens.
I choose not to think about where I would be right now if I had not met Brian that fateful day in Kentucky. All I can do is thank God that I had that feeling that I needed to go to church that day.
Its so clear to me, right now. This is where I should be, this is where I belong. This friendship that I share with these people, this is where I am and where I should be.
I think of the nine people that I spent most of last year with as my angels. They helped me when most of my own family wouldnt. They have watched over me, literally, for the past year. They are my heaven sent gifts. An answer to my prayers and Im very grateful that I have become a part of their lives, because they have become very important parts of mine.
I have never been as happy as I am right now. Hope is real. I can feel hope for the future. Thats something that until now, I had never really been able to do. But now I know I have a future.
They helped me when no one else would and I dont know where I would be with out the love that they showed me. But I know that I would be nowhere near as well off as I am now. And I owe that to my family of friends.
As for Jake, well, I havent seen him since that day that he came to the house. When we went to get the adoption papers signed he had is signature notarized, so we didnt have to see him. I suppose that someday I will have to tell Tommy about what happened, but until then, and even after, he is Brians son as well as mine.
My parents still havent spoken to me, but I now have support from all four of my older brothers. That means a lot to me, because I know that it was hard for them to go against our parentsEwishes. Im thrilled at the thought that next year I will be able to spend next Christmas with all four of my brothers.
But I would be perfectly content to spend it at the old Littrell house, with all of my friends. They are my family. They are what counts to me.
These people have taught me so much. But I think that the most important thing that they have taught me is to believe in myself.
They have taught me to have hope.
Leave what happens in my life to destiny.
They have taught me to live up to my name.
They taught me to have a little faith.