We thought our family complete.
Five seemed a nifty number.
Soon our three kids would be adults,
less problems to encumber.

But fate had other plans for us.
One more was in the making.
We'd need to rearrange our life,
retirement plans forsaking.

We'd learned some things from raising three.
One more child should be a cinch.
The older ones could baby-sit.
They'll be helpful in a pinch.

"Your labor should be short this time,"
the good doctor had assured.
Nine hours later, I was drained
from the pain I had endured.

The easy way was not her style
'Twas apparent from the start.
As days went by, in every way,
she would set herself apart.

The youngest in the family
wasn't something she desired.
She was treated like a plaything,
like some toy they had acquired.

Don had hoped she'd be a brother.
Christi felt she took her place.
Carol took on the role of Mother.
But she carved out her own space.

She endured much indignation
from her siblings, who were ten.
But she learned to mix it with them,
and get even now and then.

From the time she shed her diapers,
she'd developed her own style
The clothes that others picked for her
went into her discard pile.

Growing up was never easy.
She would make her own mistakes.
Trouble always seemed to find her,
and sometimes she got no breaks.

But she was a special person
with a winsome friendly smile,
and we knew that she would make it,
even if it took a while.

There were times she suffered heartbreak.
There were times she shed some tears.
But her act would come together.
after many troubled years.

There was someone out there waiting
who would make her life complete,
and the fates somehow arranged it,
that the two of them would meet.

This guy had his share of troubles
which with time he overcame.
If he didn't change directions,
he would have himself to blame.

So the pair of them together
would unite and form a team,
and no longer they'd be lonely,
if they shared a common dream.

From the day that we met Michael
He was easy to embrace
So up-front and easy-going,
and he fit right into place.

Now, I hope that you will join me
as we celebrate this day,
in wishing them true happiness
and success in every way.