Happy 20th birthday Ashley babe! You know the story well but here is a repeat of the charming and blessed events ... As a family we had been praying for our baby to be born for a very long time and Cameron, age 5, wanted a little sister! One day after watching the TV cartoon the Flintstones and seeing that Barny and Betty Rubble wished on a star and the next day Bam-Bam was found in a basket on their doorstep Cam rushed into the room and insisted that what we needed to do was wish on a star for you!!
That night we did; we wished on a star, (in all good humor of course) and literally two days later we received a call from Family Services asking if we wanted to come and bring our new baby daughter home with us! Of course we all realize that Heavenly Father required that the timing be right for your glorious entrance into this world and that fasting and prayer is what finally brought you to us; however, I think that Cam was inspired and from that day forward you became our precious 'wish upon a star' daughter :) Each Christmas up through your 18th year we have given you a special gift connected to a star theme to commemorate the wonderful, magical blessing of our daughter's birth and sealing to us in the Provo temple.
Ashley, we love you with all of our hearts sweetheart! You are an exceedingly intelligent, spiritual, talented, beautiful, loving, motivated spit fire of a girl. A young woman with an incredible moral compass and strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ with a thirst for knowledge and desire to pursue incredible experiences. It has been such an honor to be your mother with all that this entails; laughing and crying together, pursuing incredible adventures and experiences together, working through life's challenges and dilemmas together and even being silly together. You are definitely daddy's little girl but a mother and daughter share an equally special bond - our hearts are identical and knitted together with beautiful silver threads of love and respect for one another!
We are so proud of you babe! What fun to see you make the Dean's List three times in a row and I'm sure it will not stop there. How moving to see you love and lead the little Primary children in church in their songs each Sunday; and your desire to major in elementary education and secondary English where you will continue to have a positive impact on children and teens lives for years to come is equally touching. How delightful to see how devoted you are to your big brother, of the fun you have together and the affection you share for one another. How touching to see you evolve as a young woman who is in love with the love of your life as you and Michael pursue your goals and prepare for a temple marriage and family in the future. You simply take my breath away Ash in how you are choosing to live your life!
Your 20th year is starting with a bang indeed! Exciting college classes juggled with holding down 1-2 jobs on the side. Being selected as a model for Whirl magazines bridal addition http://whirlmagazine.com/?p=8648 , being involved on campus as an orientation leader, chairman of the winter formal, vice president of the drama club AND now having auditioned for and been selected as the female lead in the fall Broadway musical Frankenstein http://frankensteinthemusical.com (to hear the beautiful soundtrack); and icing on the cake is acting and singing with Michael who was also awarded a significant role! The two of you possess such incredible singing talent, it is going to be such a treat seeing you both on stage once again and this time in such substantial roles.
May your next 20 yeas and beyond be filled with many delightful surprises honey, continued focus in dealing with life's difficulties, on going enthusiasm as you pursue your many, diverse goals and a song in your heart as you reflect each night on from whence all of your blessings have come. Heavenly Father loves you Ashley Bretlyn and your entire family thinks you rock!
xoxo Mommy, Daddy, Cam, Mica & Missy Belle Buttons
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