Pawpaw,
You helped my mom raise me when you didn't have to. You took me under your wing as your own, and I couldn't possibly thank you enough. You've taught me so much about life, and also so much about myself. You taught me how to draw hearts and count change. You taught me how to have 'swagger,' as you would say, and you've taught me how to love. The support you've given me over the years is almost unbelievable. Even after all of my mistakes, you've always stood by me. You've never yelled at me, and you've always held me while I cried. I am so thankful for you.

My tattoo that reads, "I hope that you will always remember me with a smile and a wink." Pawpaw wasn't able to attend my high school graduation so I took this picture to show that even when he isn't with me, he's still there.

I love waking up knowing you'll be in the living room to greet me with a smile, a wink, and a huge "GOOD MORNING HUN!" (Yes, he yells.) I look forward to going to sleep, so I can tuck you in and hear you say, "I love you girl, more than you'll ever know." Taking care of you has brought me so much closer to my mom, and I know that's something you always wanted when I was younger. You've pushed me my whole life to become a better person, and so far I think it has worked. You've drilled it in my head to be a nice person in general and thank God I finally listened to you. You've always had faith that I was going to do great things with my life. I think--No, I know that's a huge reason why I am where I am today--Not just academically, but mentally. I had so many problems within myself growing up, and you always pulled them out of me and basically forced me to talk to you about them. It used to get on my nerves so bad, but I thank you for it now. You allowed me to talk out every problem and taught me to think about it realistically. I know that one day, I'll be longing for one of your talks.

I dread the day that you won't be here for me to talk to you. I dread the day that I wake up on your birthday, but there's no Pawpaw to celebrate it with. I dread Christmas morning when I don't have an envelope waiting on me with a fancy 'M' written on the front. I dread the day that will leave me with only a mom, uncle, aunt, and one cousin. You are the glue to this little family of ours, and it won't be the same without you. But, I'm so excited for you to see your son and wife again. Your love story is my favorite, and I hope to find a love as strong as it one day.

Mawmaw and Pawpaw when they were about sixteen and nineteen, they eloped on December 31st, 1949.

I promise to always be your voice. When you're having trouble telling a story, I promise to tell it for you. I promise to always be your chef at 9AM when you want an egg and cheese sandwich. I promise to always be your support--when you just can't get around so well, I promise to help you to bed. I promise to always remember you with a smile, and a wink.

I love you with all my heart and soul.