Day 3: Hands

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 3: Hands

5 hands and 2 paws....each have made a major impact on my life. Each of these have helped pick me up at my low points and helped me grow to be the lady I am today. So who's hands/paws are they?

Top left: The hands of this lady have been there for me from the day I was born and has shown me nothing but love and compassion. She has supported me in all my life decisions, encouraged me to be strong at low points, and always cheered me on at my highs. With her I got to see my first murder mystery shows, joked with me about renting a naughty movie when I was 11, and went roller skating with me. We have had 28 wonderful years together making memories, an many more to come, that will last a life time. She has a special place in my heart that will always be called hers. Thanks to her loving hands I have the best memories a grandchild could ever receive from a grandma. I love you dearly G'nny!

Top Right: The hands of this boy made my 16th birthday one to remember for a lifetime and a smile a will never forget. He truly was the best friend a girl could have ever asked for. My favorite memory, besides my 16th birthday, was soccer practice ending and getting into my truck to find handcuffs hanging from my rear view mirror, which by the way I still have just on a different truck mirror. I knew exactly who put them there and figured I would find out why at some point. As I was driving through the parking lot he pulled in front of my truck, blocking me from exiting the parking lot, jumped out of his truck, ran over to mine, kissed my cheek through my window, ran back to his, and drove off. The sweetest gifts I ever got was in that moment. The next time he kissed me was on our way to our vehicles from the ice cream shop and it just happened to be the best strawberry sherbet kiss I have every had. Thanks to this person I have learned how to love and deal with loss. I love you and miss you dearly Kurt Mautner!

Middle Left and Right: These dogs, or as I call them my babies, have taught me the love of a pet is for a lifetime. The minute I walk in the door they are so excited to see me, even if I was only gone 10 minutes. When I'm sick, sad, upset, happy, etc... they are always right at your feet or in your face trying to share your emotion. Martini is my high five, sneeze on command, lick your stinky feet, food hog, stranger greeter, bone chewer kind of girl. Olive is my sit in your lap to be loved on, growl at you when you touch her feet or your feet touch her, bull doze Tini when she is out of line, bark at strangers, willing to roll over for treats, very sweet and loveable girl. I love my girls as much as I will love my kids.

Bottom Right: The hands of this man have been apart of my life since I was 5 years old and has played a major part of helping me become the woman I am today. Step-parents are often not given the credit they deserve when they take on the responsibility of another persons child, especially if they have 2 of there own. He supported me through my soccer career, sports, school, life all together. He understands what it takes to succeed even if you have to bribe a child to reach goals. Without this person college or my dream wedding would have never come true. Thank you for being my cheering squad and the support I have needed when others were not able to give it to me. I can still hear you cheering "Go Bond Go"! I love you Brad!

Bottom Middle: The hands of this man have taught me how to forgive and understand mistakes happen. Also, racing is a part of his life and the need for speed has become a part of mine. My first ever speeding ticket this man congratulated me and wrote a column in his magazine about it. No matter the distance he has always been a supporter in all that I do. Thank you for teaching me that life doesn't have to always be serious and speeding is a part of who I am. I love you Dad!

Bottom Left: The hands of this woman were the first to ever hold me. She has loved me from the minute she found out she was having me and has loved me more and more everyday since she gave birth to me. She is my hero! She is such an amazing mother and best friend that its hard for me to find the words to describe her. She was my #1 fan in all my sports, tried to never miss a game, and always found a way for me to travel to out of state and country games. She taught me to never give up, follow my heart, and most importantly how to love. Thanks to her I am every bit of her mixed with the rest of the hands that have touched my life. I love you more then you can every imagine MOM!

Main Center: These are the hands of the man who I will spend the rest of my life with. When he asked for my hand in marriage I knew from that moment on his hands would be the ones to hold me during the good and the bad. Those hands work hard for this family and provide daily love and support. Every decision I make he is always the first to know about it and the first to support it. I could not have picked a better man to spend my life with. He also understands my mom knows everything. My love for you, Mat, grows stronger and stronger everyday. Thank you for choosing me to spend the rest of your life with! I love you!