Dear Ella and Molly,

Once upon a time before you were born, before your daddy had even met your mommy, before your Nana and Naynay were your grandmothers, your two Nanas went on a magical first vacation to a land far, far away in a place called Mexico.

They packed their suitcases early one Friday morning, then drove to the airport and got on a very big airplane to fly high in the sky. While they were in the airplane, Nana asked Naynay are we there yet? several times because she did not like to fly in the airplane. Naynay would laugh and say not yet.

Finally the airplane landed in Cancun, Mexico. Your Nana was so happy to be on the ground again, but your Naynay was very nervous about making sure they could find their luggage and a car ride to the hotel.

They found their suitcases and got in a taxi that drove them to the most beautiful hotel, a tall white building with more floors than the hotel where Ella stayed with us when we went to the basketball game. Their room had blue tiles and a balcony where they could stand to see the people on the beach, the blue ocean, and the big blue swimming pool down below. Everything was blue except for your Nanas who were very happy to be on their first ever vacation together.

The food was delicious in Mexico – every restaurant had salsa, chips, cheese dips and quesadillas better than the ones at places we go to here at home. The swimming pool at the hotel had water that was not too cold for swimming even in the winter; the beach was great for walking at night because the moonlight was so bright the sandy beach looked like a huge version of Ella’s sandbox in the back yard. It was fun to walk around holding hands at night after the hot sun had set.

When you are older, we will tell you more stories about that magical first trip to Mexico when Nana and Naynay began to realize how much they loved each other. Your Nanas have taken many trips together since that first one, but you will see that sometimes the first time you experience deep feelings of love for someone can be the moments you never forget. For now you need to know we love you both more than you can imagine, and our vacations with you in the mountains and at the playground in Florida have been magical, too.

We wish you joy and happiness wherever life leads, but most of all we wish you love,

Naynay

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Happy 22nd Anniversary, Nana. You still bring the spicy salsa to me every day, and I love you dearly.