it takes a Village….. (#4)

...and I don't mean the Village people.  I cannot remember exactly when but sometime during my 7th and 8th grade year the Village formed.  The Village was a group of 3 families who really believed it took a Village to raise children.  Okay, I think Mary Margaret will agree with me on this (sorry AH and LL), it didn't take the Village to raise the two of us, it took the Village to raise the other two. Am I right, Twin?

The West family have be in my life for a long time and the way they entered is too fun not to share. When I was in kindergarten one of my Mom's students asked her why she had a picture of her cousin on her desk.  My Mom assured her it was her daughter and her student (Mara) said well she looks just like my cousin who lives in Raleigh.  A couple years later that cousin and her family moved to Reidsville.  And that is when the West family entered into our lives.

Me and my Twin!

This family has meant so much to my family over the years.  We were the only family in Reidsville with 2 girls both with 2 names.  We often got confused.  The fact that Mary Margaret and I looked so much alike didn't help with the fact that we both had two names that started with Mary.  People at the High School often asked Laura Lee if she was my Mom's daughter because they favored so much.

The younger two (AH on L and LL on R) in their Middle School jerseys.

The 4 double names after a dance recital.

Lee and Dena have always been there for my family as long as I can remember.  During my sister's junior of high school and my junior year in college, she tore her ACL.  The day she tore her ACL was also the day I had to move to Wake.  Lee and Dena took Ann Hughes home with them and took care of her- as if she were their own.   There are times when I will go and visit Mom and then disappear.  Mom will look outside and see my car is still there.  Then I will get a text 'did you walk to DD's?'.  My conversations with Dena at her bar in her kitchen have been some of my favorite.

This picture captures my relationship with these two perfectly.  Dena and I are in conversation and Lee is simply present. I loved this moment- he just looked at my ring finger for the longest time.

We lovingly refer to Lee and Dena as "Ghetto" and "DD".  And I'm showing my age because I cannot remember why we started calling him "Ghetto". But what I do know is that these two have taught me how to love life.   Whenever I am with them I cannot help but laugh.  We are always having a good time- laughing at old times or crazy Laura Lee stories.  I am thankful that God brought them into my life years ago- for the many memories our families have shared and the experiences that are to come.

DD and "Ghetto", thank you for loving me like one of your own and always showing me how to love life.  You two have been a gift.