sixteeeeen candlessss

April 25, 1995 was a very special day.

This girl was born.

My favorite 16-year-old, hands down.

I've known McKinlie for years.  Actually I used to babysit her.  And my most vivid memory of those times: she wanted to play Uno [a game that I hate] with a hand of 1000[ish] cards instead of 7.  Just because she didn't want to go to bed.  Guess she thought I was pretty cool to hang out with back then, too.

And then there was the gap when we didn't really know each other, or even see each other, for years.

And then when my family changed churches, McKinlie was back in my life.  We went together on a mission trip this summer.  

outdoor showers + wind + shower curtain blowing off + McKinlie as a lifesaver + sleeping on neighboring cots for a week 

= inseparable.

I love this girl so much & love having a front-row seat to what God is doing in her life.

Happy Birthday [again, & a few days late], McKinlie!