Congratulations Mark!!

This past Saturday Shaun, Lillian and I left the house early to head down to Tuscaloosa for my younger brother Mark's graduation from the University of Alabama!! We were so proud to be there to support him at such a big milestone in his life. Mark is by probably one of the finest persons that I have ever met, and I am honored to be his big sister. I remember walking him to his second grade class, because he didn't want to go to school and now he will soon be moving to Austin, Texas for a job with Hewlett Packard. He is one of my best friends and I have so enjoyed watching him grow into the young man that he is today. He LOVES Lillian and Eli, and that was evident just walking through his apartment. There were pictures of them everywhere! Mark is mature beyond his years, very aware that family means everything, extremely intelligent, witty, funny, handsome and loving. Lillian is so blessed to have an uncle that loves her as much as Mark loves her.



getting ready to leave...



Lillian had to give him a quick hug before he left.

I was so excited to spot Mark before the ceremony started. I texted him to hold his hand up!!

Mark and my parents

We ARE so proud of Mark!

the graduate and his niece and nephew.

Mark,

I hope that you know how very proud Shaun and I are of you. We have watched you grow so much over these past few years and cannot wait to see what God has in store for your life. I have always said it, and I will say it again now... of all of the things that Mom and Dad worked so hard to give us, the greatest gifts they ever gave me were you, Johnny and Alli. How grateful I am to have you in my life Mark, you are such an amazing young man and I know that you have great things ahead of you.

We LOVE you!

Melissa, Shaun and Lillian