Two Gifts, One Glorious Day

September 16th is no ordinary day on the calendar -- it’s a double delight, a reason for cake, candles, and gratitude to God. On this day, He wrapped up two extraordinary gifts for our family: Shawntel and Alexia. My two girls.

I like to imagine heaven’s angels announcing their arrivals with flair: “Ta-da! Presenting Shawntel Smith (soon-to-be Wuerch) and Alexia Gabrielle Wallace!” God doesn’t skimp when He blesses.

Shawntel came into our lives the day Ryan chose her as his bride. Truthfully, we knew her before we knew her. As Miss Oklahoma, she captivated the nation with her poise, charm, and spunk -- and we were cheering from our living room when she became Miss America.

Little did we know we were applauding for our future daughter-in-love! Since then, she’s been more than a daughter-in-law; she’s my girl, my Angel, a devoted wife to Ryan and loving mom to their four boys. She calls me “Mom,” and I treasure that title every time.

And then there’s Alexia. Our Staci and Larry gave us this gift 24 years ago today. I still remember rushing to meet that tiny bundle, unaware how quickly those years would fly.

Today, Alexia is grown into a beautiful, hilarious, adventurous woman of God -- engaged to her Winston and just weeks away from beginning her own marriage story. She is bold in love, radiant in joy, and destined for purpose.

What a gift it is to celebrate them together -- one by God’s design, the other by God’s adoption into our family. Both fill our hearts with sunshine. Both remind me that God is generous beyond words.

Scripture says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” (James 1:17) Today, I look at Shawntel and Alexia and whisper, “Thank You, Lord, for these perfect gifts.”

Happy birthday, my two September 16th treasures. May your year be filled with laughter, love, and the joy of walking with the One who gave you life.

Double the joy, double the blessing!

#DoubleBlessing #FamilyGifts #HappyBirthday