Vintage

Dear Bob,

This summer marks the 5th birthday of Ethan, my biological son.  Back in 2003… I was 18… and in my senior year of high school.  Sadly, I was deep into an abusive relationship… one that, if I had stayed in any longer, I believe I would not have survived.

 I’m happy to say I was able to get out and away from that poisonous situation, but by then I had a whole new challenge in front of me.  I found out that I was three months pregnant.  As you can imagine, this was a very difficult time… worsened by all the disappointment I had in myself.  I had a decision to make… and I decided I would give my unborn baby up for adoption.

My youth leaders from church became my chance to give this baby everything he needed and they realized that too.

On July 26th, 2004… Ethan was born…and adopted by my angels, Chad and Christina.  I still get to see Ethan and I am so happy that they are all now my extended family.

To help me get through the process of the adoption, I clung to music to help deal with my emotions.  Though there were many songs that captured my heart… one song really stood out – “He Gets That From Me” by Reba McEntire.  Still, when I hear it, I am reminded that not only does Ethan remain a part of me… he is also a part of them too. 

Thank you so much,

Ashley B. Vincent,
Binghampton, NY

Hi Bob!

I just turned 70!... And so did my husband.   We have three “kids”… age 42 and up, who are all doing well.  We have accumulated many good friends in the last 50 years… and in those years, we moved 21 times (throughout California and Oregon due to my husband’s job.)

Alan Jackson’s song, “Remember When” sums up our life together.  We first noticed each other in high school and I arranged our first date after Ken graduated.  We have been blessed with love all of our lives.

We were hoping you could play our request… just because it tells the story of these 50 years just past…so very well.  

Thank you,

Mary-Nell Gifford,
Highland, CA