Where did the 20 years go!?!?!?!?!?!?

Hey guys,

This week is a milestone of sorts for Ann and I. Our twin sons, Joel and Justin, turn 20 years old Thursday February 26th. Where did the twenty years go? It seems like it was only yesterday that late one night we were headed over to Self Memorial Hospital to have them. It has been a wild topsy - turvy fun filled twenty years, and boy does it make me feel old when I think about it.

Ann and I having twins just shows to everyone that there is a God, and he has a sense of humor. Neither Ann or I liked kids much when we were married. Kids seemed like they were an endledd production facility for bodily waste, loud noises, a constant drain on your finances, a boat anchor for a social life and generally a pain in the butt. We had no desire for any kids, and didn't even enjoy being around them. Early in our marrage Ann went for a check-up and exam, and the doctor told her that we would never have children. We threw a party that night to celebrate our good fortune!

Well twelve years of marrage passed and no kids. We lived our lives to the fullest, traveled, spent money like a drunken sailor on ourselves and our home, and generally had a great time. Then that fateful night in our swimming pool occured ( It was that hard water's fault) and about two or three weeks later Ann began to feel sick in the morning. After a couple of days of this, Ann decided to get a home pregnency test and geuss what, it turned blue, much to our shock!

Our families were thrilled, and we were in deep shock. What in the world were we gonna do. Neither of us had any idea what to do with a child. We were in trouble with a capital "T" when it came to natural child rearing skills.

Well, two months later just when we thought we were getting control of the situation life threw us another curve. Ann and here sister Tina went to the doctor for Ann's first ultrasound and we got our second shock. The tec nurse ran the ball over Ann's stomach, stopped and did it again. Then she said that she would be right back and left the room without another word. It scared Ann and Tina to death. All sorts of bad thoughts went through their minds. After a minute or so Dr. Beaudreau came in and repeated the test, looked at Ann and said, "Guess what, you are going to have twins!"

You know, when she told me that later that day I felt like life as we knew it was over, life was really gonna suck with kids. Well, I was wrong. I wouldn't take a billion dollars to change anything. Ann and I have been blessed with two great young men who have been very little trouble. Sure there has been a few rough spots, chicken pops, broken bones, occasional bad grades, and the first broken hearts when a teenage love affair ends. All in all though it has been good though. I love being a Dad, and realize that God blessed Ann and I when he gave us Justin and Joel. Yes we spoiled them, but what the heck, they are ours, why not.

Now that they are turning twenty I realize that our lives are entering into a new stage. Our boys are grown men now, and are no longer those little guys who took up so much of our time and efforts. Who knows what the future brings, but I do know that if it is half as exciting as the past twenty years have been it's gonna be a blast!

Happy Birthday Joel and Justin!!!
Love, Mom and Dad