I was raised in a small town in central Ohio. My family is somewhat small but very close and very loving. I was very close to my parents and my older brother. I have many fond family memories of trips to my grandparents farm and Lake Erie, family bike rides to the ice cream parlor, and sledding down the hill near our house. My dad was a college professor and my mom a former high school English teacher turned college administrator so they instilled in me a love of reading and education. My parents taught me the values of love, compassion, devotion, hard work, and honesty. They helped me with school, sports, and everything else I tried. They believed in me and would constantly tell me they were proud of me. Unfortunately, my dad passed away a few months before Bill and I got married, but he got to know Bill and loved him. He knew that Bill would make an amazing husband and father!
Both my mom and my brother and his family live in town so we get to see them all the time. We love having family near by and it is great to see our niece and nephew frequently. I also have cousins close by so there will be lots of family ready to lend a hand ... and other kids to play with ... when we become parents.
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| With Kirsten's Family at Christmas |
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| At Cape Cod with Kirsten's Cousins |
Bill:
I grew up in a large, Irish Catholic family in New Jersey. My parents have been married for 37 years and I am the oldest of 4 children. My dad is an attorney and my mom did a great job staying home to raise me and my siblings. Growing up, my dad always coached all of our sports teams - baseball, soccer, and ice hockey. We went to church as a family and my family taught me the value of team work, family, love, and hard work. They live 20 minutes from New York City and just one hour to the beach. They are still in the same house I grew up in and everyone in town knows them! All of my family still lives nearby. My one brother is a police officer and he and his wife have an adorable 2 year old whom we love very much.
We wish we could see them more often but we go out there a few times a year (and they come to see us!) I also have MANY cousins who live in New Jersey so our trips home are filled with lots of people and lots of fun. (They know how to have a good time!) I am very close to my family so it is hard to be away. They are a very loving and caring family. We can't wait to give my parents another grandchild!
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| With Bill's Family at Christmas |
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| Just a Typical Family Gathering for Bill! |
