I awoke the next morning to a child on my back. You may think I’m kidding but I promise, Ryan was lying on my back poking the back of my head. I turned my head so I could see him and he seemed proud that he accomplished his goal of waking me up.

“Mommy said not to come bother you but I was hoping you may want to paint with me since mommy is too busy talking to Papa.” This kid was too cute.

“Of course I’ll paint with you Ryan. You have to let me up though.” He hopped off my back, not so gently I may add, and sat on the edge of the bed. “How did you get up here anyway?”

“I use the box mommy keeps under her bed to climb up when she sleeps too long. She doesn’t know that though.” Wow I feel bad for Ashley, never getting to sleep in.

“Okay Ryan well let me go talk to your mommy for a minute then I’ll come and paint with you.” He jumped off the bed and I climbed out and started downstairs, Ryan right on my heels.

“Mommy was talking about you earlier. She said “I really like Pencer dad. I can’t wait til you meet her.” Your name is Pencer right?” Like I said, too cute.

“Yes, my name is Spencer.”

“Okay well Pencer hurry and talk to mommy and I’ll be waiting so we can paint!” Ryan ran into the studio and I walked toward Ashley’s voice. Before I turned the corner I heard my name and stopped.

“Spencer’s amazing. She came over here and I freaked. I wasn’t planning on introducing Ryan so soon but she didn’t even care. I mean I know she has to mind some but she doesn’t show it at all dad. She let me explain everything. Yeah I told her what happened. I know, I haven’t told anyone the whole story. She’s just that special. I don’t know what it is about her but I feel safe. It scares me. But anyway you’ll meet her when you get here, what time is that going to be anyway?” I let Ashley talk a couple more minutes then walked into the kitchen. She was making breakfast. She looked so cute, pressing her phone to her shoulder so she could use both hands. It was still weird thinking of Ashley as a mom, but seeing her right now made me really understand just how great of one she was.