# 310 - Stefie's Man...Brice

Stefanie is my youngest daughter. She'll be 22 years old next month. Yes, she will. I know she looks 13-15 years old, sometimes she still gets handed the children's menu with crayons, but she really is almost 22 years old.

Anyway, her boyfriend Brice is a sweetheart. He and I can only hug when we see each other because Miss Stefie must always have the last hug when leaving. But, I love it when he teases Stefie and gives me a hug after she does because then we have to start all over with the rounds of hugs again --- she's a tad Obsessive Compulsive about having the last hug when saying good-bye, but that's how it rolls around here.

Since I get to write about my girls all the time, I'm picking on the boyfriends. Today is Brice's turn. Brice is working to finish his four-year degree in Criminal Justice. He's thought about being a police officer, which would be fine with Stefie, it's not as if she isn't prepared to live in a household of stresses that come with living with one who serves in law enforcement, but Brice is also seriously considering going into the military.

From Stefanie's angle, she'd make a wonderful military wife. Plus, her particular degree would enable her to get a job in just about any location they might encounter as a duty base.

She's finishing her degree in the area of Child Life Specialist...those are needed everywhere. It's a growing field with lots of opportunities. She's made to work with children and should be a blessing to many throughout her life.

As for Brice, he'd make a good military man. It'd be tough, but he has the personality that would make a great officer. He is a good observer; he is in tune with people around him and can pick up on subtle signs of concerning areas; he wants to serve; he's enthusiastic about the prospect of traveling for assignments; and he'd look GREAT in a uniform.

 

Building a place in the country is important to me because I also want these kids to have a stable place to come home to visit or to stay during transitions. Boy, do I know about transitions from being a military wife for a few years. My parents were beacons of light in the cloudy murkiness of transitioning from a life of military-everything to civilian-overload. Also, Brice has a love for old-fashioned country environments, so I know he will love our acreage. He's never been there, not yet, but I can't wait to show him the land so he can set out and explore.

Stefie and Brice at a Rockets game
with Brice's dad, Mr. Jay.

As a parent, you want to build a legacy and an inheritance for your children to take over once you're gone. I do believe that years ahead will find these two loving the land and becoming attached to it. Of course, Stefie has a stipulation to continuing a relationship with our acreage...it must have a real potty zone, an actual "house" would be really nice. I don't blame her, she's done her fair share of roughing it.

She's now at a special age...it's the age that has gone beyond the childhood years of running around like a banshee, not worrying about makeup, hair and dirt caked onto your skin...she's at the age of desiring a temperature-controlled-environment so the straightened hair can stay perfect and the makeup not sweat away...

On her way to do another assignment as
a Substitute Teacher...I don't ever remember
having teachers who looked like this!

...but the years will come soon enough, the years I've hit, where you again are free from worry about the makeup, hair and don't care so much that sweat is running down all over your body...since she's in that middle stage of controlled prettiness, the land is less appealing. One day, she'll be like the kid she used to be and will be running wild and free again. It will happen. It's in her bones and soul to be one with the forest. Her inner-Teepee can never be destroyed. I can already picture her running with her kids all over the acreage, her teaching them to look for tadpoles and minnows in the creek as she did while growing up and free to roam with an exploring eye of appreciation for nature.

So, Brice is a perfect match for little Stefanie. They have lots of adventures in store for them.

As long as its not Alaska. They don't want to go to Alaska. And for all of you who have served in the military and understand how it works, you already know, Brice will likely get orders to serve in Alaska.

I guess we better start putting back money for a winter wardrobe for Stefie. Burrrr!!