With You....Anything's Possible!

August 8

Today is August 8, and everytime i dated a check this Tuesday i have thought of you. Great birthday -- 8/8 -- kind of like my mom except she is 7/7.

Wondering what you are doing in Dallas? Is Tom going to take you out some place special? So sorry i was unable to reach you by cell.

You probably were at The Mansion having a 3 hour lunch -- or more likely trapped in some parochial school carpool maze. Metal minivan stacked up against metal minivan all in that blazing Texas heat. Maybe you all haven't started school yet, so you are off celebrating on some fun island with family? Anywho, i was thinking about you and wishing i could be there to have some fun with you on day of your birth.

Had to start with picture of Blue Bell -- for that is how we started -- at least that is how i remember it. We kind of bumped into each other on dormitory hall one Friday night. Think the drinking age had just changed from 18 to 19. You and i were such sweet innocents -- we let all the credible fake I.D.s be snatched up before we knew what the heck was going on.

As we were sorting out our newbie freshman Friday night options you said, "You know what would make this better?" "Blue Bell Cookies and Cream."

"Never heard of it, " i retorted -- still mad at my inability to enter swinging college Greenville Ave. scene.

"NEVER HEARD OF IT?" was your incredulous reply. So nothing would do except to get in the DAVEYmobile and speed over to the local Tom Thumb. Look i found her -- the Daveymobile that is. The only problem is that this model doesn't have TX Plates on front and back declaring -- "DAVEY3." After that inaugural run in her, i remember sitting on the floor in your room devouring that ice cream.

We soon realized that the fraternity boys and their parties didn't worry so much what the fine state of Texas' legal drinking age was ... so thankfully our social life didn't revolving around dorm rooms, Lone Star Donut Cakes and Blue Bell ice cream.

But since that night so long ago-- i have always loved Blue Bell and always loved you.

And really who doesn't love you -- Liz?

My dad said you would be his 3rd daughter if that were possible. I have lots of friends whom i adore -- but there is no one who makes John's face light-up like if we get to talking about you. Honestly, don't think i make his face light up like that -- well, except maybe if i have been gone a really, really, long time. i remember all those dates we used to set you up with Wade when you would come to Atlanta during our Law School indenture-ment. Think one time we suggested someone else to be your escort. Wade -- the most old-man-like young guy -- really came alive and would not, could not hear of anyone else having that honor.

We ended up being in different SMU sorority packs -- Chi-O for you, Theta for me -- but always stuck together.

Lambda Chi Little Sisters. Remember that Lambda smell? So glad i got to see the old gal last fall before she met with the wrecking ball.

How many times did you ferry me to airport? Seems like our trips to DFW always started at Marianos for Happy Hour. I don't know how i got to those flights sometimes -- was dreadfully late.

Remember you dropping me off. I would turn and say "ta-ta" to the Daveymobile then panic. At that point, i was always running -- to the best of my ability at the moment -- down some concourse craning my neck trying to read the departure monitors, dashing to some hinterland gate..... Somehow i never missed a plane. It was so fun!

We always seemed to be running around -- not thinking about much -- but having great time. Remember when your brother Tom was running for Student Body VP, i toodled down to your room. You and roommate Jenny were sitting on floor. Having just done my civic duty to get a Davey duly elected, i glibly asked, "Did you vote for big brother?" The look on your face. Think you had forgotten. As it was about a minute till the high-powered SMU polls closed you asked, "Do you think it matters?"

You and Jenny raced down there and voted. And Tom won by 1 vote.

The greatest thing about that being that the Daveymobile got a platinum SMU parking sticker -- allowing you free rein to park anywhere on campus. Really like the car's own little "get out of jail free" card. i remember the poor auto had been banished to park permanently behind Dedman -- SMU Siberia basically -- for you and Tom had acquired more parking tickets than anyone in the history of the University. After Tom won, we could park anywhere! Hurrah! Bet even Eric Dickerson, Craig James -- or one of the many other illegally compensated SMU football players -- couldn't do that.

We dated lots of different boys. Don't think you approved of some of my beaus very much in those days. As usual you were right, but guess as stupid as i was with boy choices -- think i won the lottery with you.

I met John Miles....and in moment of uncharacteristic clarity for me -- we decided to get married. You were asked by me to stand up there beside us at the altar. Of course, you arrived in Orlando in true Liz fashion -- coming up the jetport with a tub of Marianos still frozen margaritas in hand. Carried securely from Dallas in the overhead luggage compart of American Airlines, your employer at the time.

Guess it was there -- AA -- you met your great Tom. I remember the first time i saw you both walking out of the gate from some American flight on visit to Atlanta. I thought now there's a great looking couple. I was so excited, and when i heard he was Catholic, i knew it was only a matter of time.

Got the call that 2 months after the wedding -- little Lauren was on the way. Then came Christine, then David. Think at one point i saw you -- Lauren was 3 at your knee, Christine was toddle on your hip and David was getting very ready to make his appearance. You guys didn't mess around -- or guess there must have been a little messing around somewhere -- because very cute Marsans kept appearing.

On other hand, i couldn't get pregnant again if my life depended on it. i had this way, way too indepth book on the how-to's of moment by moment monitoring of the female situation to get pregnant.

Knew you were feeling little overwhelmed -- and knowing you were smart -- thought you could kind of read it backwards and figure out how to not get pregnant. For it sure wasn't working with me -- helping me to get pregnant that is. Remember you saying, "jamie, it's so interesting..."

and after a little book study the little Marsans stopped coming for awhile. That is until young David went to kindergarten. Then i got the call -- about the time we had been blessed with wee Joe -- that another was on the way for you two.

Here we are at the 20th reunion. Brother Tom in back of us with his two -- Stephanie and Tom. "Little" Tom III or IV? looking so cool in his shades. Remember you getting call from big brother at my house in WP that he had been born on our wedding day. It doesn't seem like John and i have been married that long, but looking at young Tom -- he seems quite big.

You, sweet as sugar Christine , and me were cheering on those Mustangs. Query: why am i still only one wearing goofy name tag? It's so white and so big. oh well.

I will always love you -- for thankfully, thankfully -- you just never, ever seem to change. You still are just the funnest, flightiest, smartest -- gal i know. John confessed to not erasing one of your phone messages because it was just so fun to hear you -- he really never got the slightest idea of what you were talking about -- but he loved hearing you try to convey it.

Remember you having the dilemma while i was out there last fall with what to do with your brand new, very large, great Kate Spade tote. Seems as if toddler Brian had dumped his full cup of orange juice in there. In true Liz fashion, you were still trying to use it all the while confessing that it really was hopeless. Anything deposited in there became sticky mess. Then you laughed your great laugh.

You are the best mom. the best friend. best everything else.

and guess i best end all this.....

Think i will include this picture of Christine, David and i in front of the window to my freshman dorm room. btw -- i am not doing bad habit peace sign with slightly crooked fingers -- this is actually what us Mustangs do to symbolize our beloved ponies. Think it was someone's feeble attempt to answer the way cooler "hook-em-horns" thumb and pinky finger deal.

Liz -- remember driving by with you the same spot night before. i had just arrived and we were off once again to Highland Park for Mexican food after 20 years. As we made that turn and old Dallas Hall stood there -- and looking up at my room -- i just had the most amazing flood of emotion. Started crying actually. And i will always love you because you started crying too.

I was totally unprepared for those tears -- but at the time -- they just sprang up. There we were in that darkened car, 20 years later.

I think i kind of started to come alive that freshman year. I changed my name for goodness sake's. Left Tracy behind in WP and started to find out who Jamie was.

No need for more drama in this birthday note. Just thanks for never changing. You and only you -- can make me feel like that girl again. As much as i protest about the lack of interest in growing up , i feel very aged and very mature at times. Yet, whenever i talk with you -- much less be with you -- i am that 18-year-old arriving in Dallas not knowing a soul. I can remember all that was so good in her and all that she has learned -- all mixed together at the same time.

You are the best. One in a million.

i thank the good Lord that He led me into your orbit for part of your ride through life.

It's been pretty much perfect.. but what i wouldn't give for one more spin in the Daveymobile.

But guess with you and eBay anything's possible!

love -- me.