Erica age 19

30 Days of Erica age 19

Before we get to Erica's 19th birthday, I need to fill in some gaps from the prior Fall.
Erica wanted to be a Cosmetologist as her career choice.  We were all for it but we wanted to make sure it was really what she wanted to do.  So....we insisted she attend U of M for the Fall semester.  We wanted her to take college level courses and then determine if she still wanted to be a Cosmetologist.  AND.....the new lottery money was now paying for state college educations.  We wanted to take advantage of that money while she decided her career.
This is her first day of U of M....fall of 04

Of course....she finished well but still wanted to go to cosmetology school.  She enrolled in that school in Jan of 2005.  Here is a picture of her perfect attendance in Jan of her Cosmetology school..

We were very proud of her and how well she took to cosmetology.  She attended the Beauty Institute in East Memphis and was very determined to excel.  And she did just that.
Now.....did you notice that BLING on her left hand?  That brings me to her birthday.

For her 19th birthday, Erica and Alan got engaged.  What a birthday present!!!! Alan had planned it out to a "T" and we were told of all of the details.  Alan.....the wonderful man that is was and is....met with Larry and asked his permission to marry Erica.  Prince Charming.  Then...I wanted my time with him....so he met with me for breakfast and shared with me what he had shared with Larry.  What a sweetie to do that.  I loved Alan even more that day for being so respectful of us and indulging us and our wishes.

Isn't that gorgeous?  I had to wait to see the pictures because there was NO texting of pictures back in the day.  ):
That started a flood of emotions for me.  We had just had our last Christmas with Erica as a single and didn't even realize it.  But....we were gaining another member to our family and I was proud to become a mother in law again.

Things became busier than ever because we needed to plan a wedding.  This was our first wedding for a bride.....with Keith we only had to plan the rehearsal dinner...so I was a newbie.  Erica did her research and organized a notebook for us.  Since she was off on Mondays from Cosmetology school...we used that day as our planning day.  We had fun working out details and meeting with the people we needed to meet.  I think our favorite part was the cake testing samples.

From January on til the wedding date in November, I started experiencing holidays and special days as the last one with Erica still living at home.  She continued with the Beauty Institute and cut her work hours at Baumer's to accommodate her schedule.

As I said in an earlier post....she loved dying Easter eggs.  This is her last year to do it at home as a Mills.

Once the date was set, Nov 5....we knew our timeline.  Erica had a  Maltese named Muffin.  I was glad when she said Muffin would be moving out with her.  I am not a pet person....but I did grow to like Muffin and strangely Muffin liked me.  I don't know why but she did.  When I would be home by myself, Muffin would follow me around like she was my dog.  She would nap in the same room as me.  I have to say...she was a good dog to have.  She never shed, she didn't jump on you unless you wanted her to, and she was very obedient.  I did get used to having a shadow at home.

And ....then the showers started.   Erica was blessed to receive several wedding showers which help to set her up for her marriage.  Barbara Radant, my friend from when Erica and her son Mark were in K-5 at ECS, gave her the first shower. She went all out and hosted a wonderful time for all of us.

Debbie, Erica , and Jennifer

The bride and groom Moms and the beautiful bride to be.  

The next post will be all about the wedding.  Stay tuned.