a little something for a special lady.

I am dedicating this post to a very special lady today that passed away several days ago but who was extremely special in my favorite person's life (David), and someone I grew to know and adore over the past four years.

I met Nanny four years ago on Christmas Eve at David's mother's home. It was my first holiday/Christmas Eve spent with his family. At the time, I had only met his mom and stepdad; so this was a big deal for the both of us. We both love the holidays and we especially love spending them with our families (one of the reasons I love David so much). Anyway, (back to my story) that night I met his relatives and I say this with so much love, his nanny. That Christmas eve, his nanny greeted me with a warm hug and from there the wise cracks, laughter, jokes, and smiles would continue and never end for the next four years. 

If there was a person that could crack you up, make you blush, and make you feel at home all in one shot, nanny was that person. A vibrant, fun-loving, and at times hilariously inappropriate woman; she was my favorite person to sit next to at the dinner table. Between bites of food, it would be safe to say, I would hear about child birth, my future "big, Greek wedding", hilarious stories, and how dearly she loved her David. Nanny was full of surprises. You never knew what would come out of her mouth next except that it would have you laughing and covering your mouth so you wouldn't spit out your soda. 

She was one of a kind. 

My favorite memory and time with her was about a month ago. While sitting with her all afternoon at a baby shower. I was there without David because he was on a trip for work but I brought my friend Kelli to the baby shower. Nanny, Kelli, and I spent a lot of time together that afternoon; eating, laughing, talking about David, our potential wedding in the future, how beautiful our babies would be, jewelry, and so many other things. Kelli had never met Nanny before but leaving that party, simply said "Nanny may be one of my top 10 favorite people." Between the constant laughing, funny remarks, and her trying to take my jewelry off my finger because it matched her necklace; it was one of those afternoons that you think about from time to time, and just smile. 

I don't think there was a person on this planet that she could talk to for more than 10 minutes and not have them laughing/smiling. 

And like I said previously, she loved her David. David, if you are reading this...and wondering if she was proud of you (although I've told you not to be doing that), there is absolutely no question that she wasn't proud of the generous, kind, hard-working man you have become. The certainty in her voice when she would speak of you was unlike any kind of love you can imagine. She was proud and would strongly say how much of a hard-working, kind-hearted man you had grown up to be. She would proudly talk about how her grandson loved his mother and how protective he was over the ones he loved. Oh, and of course how solemn and manly he was (as she laughed and expressed sympathy for me and his lack of PDA, hehe). Your nanny knew you and saw you for who you really are (that amazing grown man that I see and love) more than you can possibly imagine. There was only pride in her eyes and heart for you and the rest of her family. 

Like I said, she was one of a kind. 

I will never forget her beaming smile, mischievous laugh, heartwarming and hilarious sense of humor, and her innate ability to make you feel loved and completely comfortable in her company. I am so grateful and happy I was able to meet and know the woman who helped shape my guy into who he is, and who also made me feel like I was just as loved. 

I hope she is somewhere beautiful and peaceful, sharing that beautiful sense of humor and spreading her warmth where ever she steps foot. Most of all, I hope she is looking down on all of those she loves and smiling, knowing that she has touched their lives in ways unimaginable. 

To a beautiful and one of a kind woman, love and miss you Nanny. 

xo