Love Grows Here

I have been MIA these last few days because I have been working on my grandma's 80th birthday present. It took FOREVER... I had multiple set backs mostly computer related. But I SWEAR I saved a bazillion times and it wasn't my fault!!!

My grandma Fae turns 80 on July 5th. In those 80 years she overcame an illness and walked away from the hospital despite being told she would never walk. She married her sweetheart when he returned from the war and together they had six children. Thanks in part to the love they saw between their parents each of the six children married increasing the Winkelmann clan to 12. As the years went on Fae was blessed with 14 grandchildren (and triply blessed with the birth of me...). Two of those grandchildren have married and one is getting married this fall (Jen we can't wait!). Finally, Fae became a great-grandmother thanks to the oldest grandchild and his three adorable boys. This brings the Winkelmann family to a total of 32 and growing! My grandma has always put her family first. Not one of her 6 children, 14 grandchildren, or 3 (for now) great-grandchildren have ever doubted her love for them. She is truly the leader of our family and all of our lives are richer thanks to her.

Every leaf on this tree is there because of the love my grandma Fae and grandpa Wally had for each other through their decades together. Though my grandpa is no long with us he is in the hearts of each and every person on that tree. I only hope that Matt and I will be the roots of such a full and beautiful tree one day (though it won't be quite that full because 6 kids is not happening!)

Happy birthday to my grandma Fae!