Love Letters to My Babies

No words can describe the love I felt 18 years ago when I met this (much tinier) young man. I am so proud of you, Jack. You’re truly one of a kind with your perfect mix of intellect and humor. @rbgavin and I couldn’t love you more. Happy birthday, my darling baby boy!! 💖 https://www.instagram.com/p/CpOxvWorZko/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

May we all bring to 2023 the joy, resilience and sparkle @a.d.d.y.26 brings to every moment. Happy New Year, darling friends and family!! Xoxo 💋 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm4o0IyvXSNX2rE674TOLVJ4dvJD1NDan-IYQA0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

➡️ Like so many, I’ve been grappling with how to think about this day, so I’m sharing the hope I find in the story of my Grandpa Waffle. During WWII, only white men could lead troops so he became the leader of an all Black troop. His troop brought medical equipment and supplies to battle sites to treat and triage before transporting troops to military hospitals. And his troop was often the first dispersed to concentration camps in Germany as soon as they were liberated - I can only imagine the horrors they saw. He often said that there were several soldiers who were better qualified to lead then he was at his young age and he did not think it was fair nor did he think his troop was respected as much as they deserved to be. He went into the assignment with all the “normal” prejudices of the era but when he returned home, he became an early ally for civil rights for Black Americans. His experience made him an outlier in this respect but he never budged on this issue. What a powerful reminder that hearts and minds can change with experience. On this 4th of July, I pray we can work together to experience each other in meaningful ways and rediscover the America my grandpa demonstrated through not just his words, but through his actions. Thanks @pamwaffle for always remembering the details of his important story. 💙❤️🤍 https://www.instagram.com/p/CfmSzUlJAFZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Our Ainsley is officially a high school graduate! Our celebration of this special young woman was perfect - from today’s lovely ceremony to yesterday’s party (with the life-sized Game of College Life, a San Luis Obispo farmer’s market spread, a roast from one brother and the other one enjoying his last year as a high school student). We are so proud of you @ainsley.gavin and love you so much! Thank God the future is in the capable, kind, loving, passionate hands of you, your friends and your siblings. Congrats, baby girl!! https://www.instagram.com/p/CexPuzsL8OqP5L6TYvsUROcTqHEnFRIjU32vxI0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Love these people. Especially the birthday girl who was sooooooo patient wait for her official birthday dinner while travel schedules and Covid caused endless rescheduling. She makes a darn fine adult. 🧡💛🧡 https://www.instagram.com/p/CeWGbp-LHCd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Happy birthday to the boy who made me a mom! I love you more than I’ll ever be able to explain. You are becoming an amazing man and I am so blessed to be your mom. Happy birthday, Jack!! https://www.instagram.com/p/CajDQ4hrvQY/?utm_medium=tumblr

Happy birthday to the boy who made me a mom! I love you more than I’ll ever be able to explain. You are becoming an amazing man and I am so blessed to be your mom. Happy birthday, Jack!! https://www.instagram.com/p/CajCNhprN06/?utm_medium=tumblr

@wildlife.safari is home to the 2nd largest cheetah conservation program in the world and plays a huge role in creating genetic diversity in the species. Khayam was my cheetah friend when I was a little girl so it was nice to meet Khayam Jr. and his puppy companion, Rhino. They’ve been together since they were 9wks old. We got to meet two 9mo old tiger cubs who were loud as can be. Plus we fed tigers their dinner. NBD just went into their cages with raw meat then stepped outside so they could run inside and tear it to shreds. Highly recommend sound. Warning: videos to the ➡️ are not vegan-friendly. (at Wildlife Safari) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaOaO6grA6d/?utm_medium=tumblr

Spent an amazing weekend with this guy. No not THAT one. That one ➡️ There’s always a risk that the place that was so special in childhood isn’t the same when you go back, particularly when you take your own kids. But @wildlife.safari was a thousand times more magical with Jack to explore it with me than I remembered or imagined. How wonderful that a scientific institution devoted to conservation is so fun. Swipe all the way to find out how we died. 💖 (at Wildlife Safari) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaOXdTGrHWn/?utm_medium=tumblr

16?!?!?! Happy birthday to our darling Aiden! From your enthusiasm for everything you do to your sense of humor to your devotion to the people you love - you bring so much goodness to our family and I feel so lucky to be one of your moms. Love you, @aiden_gavin_ 💖 https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ8mI7GLWR_/?utm_medium=tumblr

Happiest of birthdays, my love! You are my hero in a million ways, @a.d.d.y.26! 💖🦄👑 https://www.instagram.com/p/CZdkSS4rLK_/?utm_medium=tumblr

this smile tho 💖 https://www.instagram.com/p/CYwLkmVLWQK/?utm_medium=tumblr

Merry Christmas Eve! ❤️🤍💚❤️🤍💚 (at Sammamish, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/sarahgavintravels/p/CX4DRnUvWzZ/?utm_medium=tumblr

👏❤️👏❤️👏 https://www.instagram.com/p/CXZCmWLPvQk/?utm_medium=tumblr

@a.d.d.y.26 and I accidentally caught ourselves twinning after these pics were taken. Nice way to start this special time together. 💖 (at Venetian Las Vegas Casino, Hotel & Resort) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWpckbQr3TP/?utm_medium=tumblr