Page 121 of Rewriting the Story

As soon as I’m back in reality, I hear knocks, and as I open the door and both our families filter inside, I send a thank you into the universe for beingso good to me.

AfterthebestdinnerI’ve ever prepared, our families are all gathered in the living room to open presents. I can’t believe we’re all here together; I never take this time for granted—sometime in the future, this won’t be possible.

But I can’t think about that right now.

“Okay, so before we open presents,” my sister says as she gets up, “there’s something I want to tell you all.”

“Lizzie, please don't tell me you got another piercing,” my dad groans. “Just don’t tell me where it is this time, okay? I do not need the details.”

Matthew, our other dog, crawls into my lap while I wait to hear what my sister has to say.

“Dad, calm down,” she says. “It’s not a big deal.” Lizzie reaches into her bag and pulls out two small boxes, one for my dad and one for me. She hands them to us and looks over at her husband, her eyes shining as bright as the lights on the tree.

“Can we open them?” I ask, petting my very needy dog. “Lizzie, you’re kind of scaring me.”

“Don’t be scared. Just open them,” she tells us, and as I pull out a shirt that says Aunt Ella on it, tears burst from my eyes.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes!” she tells me. “You’re going to be the best aunt ever, Ells.”

I practically scream as I hug my sister.

“We’re going to spoil that child rotten,” Leo says as he hugs her. “And you can’t say a word about it.”

“I would never tell you two what to do with your money,” Lizzie says as I wrap her in another hug.

“I’m so happy for you, sis.” I squeeze her. “You’re going to be the best mother.”

“I was worried at first.” She locks eyes with me. “I was scared I didn't have it in me because of—”

I shake my head. “No. No, you’re nothing like her,” I remind her. “Your child is going to be so full of love, they won’t know what to do with it all. And I will be here by your side through it all, Lizzie.”

“Thank you, Ells.” A few tears fall as we hug again. “Thank you for taking care of me all those years. I’m pretty sure I wouldn't be here now if not for you.”

“I love you,” I tell her. “And I am so proud of you, Lizzie.”

Tissues are passed around the room. As we settle in for the remaining presents, I really stop and take it all in.

I’m surrounded by my family, the one I was born with and the one I inherited when I chose Leo. The love in the room is astounding, and it covers me like a warm blanket.

When I was a child, I grew up so fast, I never thought I would have a chance to really live my life to the fullest. I thought I was always destined to take care of others and put their lives above my own.

But sitting here now, I realize I not only have a partner in my life who reminds me to slow down, but one who takes care of me. He loves me for who I am, and he’s never tried to change me. He only lifts me up when I’m not strong enough to do it for myself.

I still have my friends to remind me of all those things too—when they’re not too busy with their own families and children. I’ve taken my life back from all the years I spent working myself to the bone, trying to remind myself Iwas good enough.

Well, now, I have nothing to prove. The only life I want to live is one beside Leo, hearing him cheer me on so loud, I never remember what it was like to be on my own.

In the years to come, I hope we can fill this house with more parties, more laughs, more friendship, and more love.

Because not only do we deserve it, but we earned it.

Walking in the Wind by One Direction

“WhatdoIdowith this, Dad?” my daughter Riley asks me as she holds up the pasta dough. “It feels weird.”

“Put it through the roller a few more times until it’s nice and long,” I tell her. Not only is my daughter my favorite assistant in the kitchen, but being able to teach her one of my favorite things has been the best part of being a father.

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