Letter to Bryan 7/20/99

Dear Bryan,

I received your beautiful letter yesterday and I think you

did get it just right. And I think you are a handsome devil

even if you do look like me! I would love to see you when

you are in Metropolis of the Deep South and would like to

invite you to stay with us. From what I have read you have

turned out to be a remarkable young man and this is a very

happy and joyous occasion.

I too have thought often about you over the years - certainly

every April 1st and many times in between. It is just incredible

to hear from you and I so look forward to getting to know you.

I wonder who will have more questions? Or if either one of us

will be able to get a word in edgewise. There is so much to

share I think I will just leave it for when you come.

I do want to update you on a few things. I am no longer

married to Mr. In-the-Wrong-Place-at-the-Wrong-Time -

it didn't work out but we parted on pretty good terms.

(he has one of the cats) But I am very happily married to

my soulmate Gapetto and we are hoping to start a family

of our own. I don't have an other children (yet). I do have

a chocolate lab who may as well be my child - that's a

picture of her that I have attached. I'd send you one of

me but don't have one at work.

You and Melanie are both very welcome in our

home and Gapetto and I would love to have you

stay with us if you feel comfortable with that.

We have a big old house in Mayberry which is about

6 miles from downtown Metropolis of the Deep South

and is a great little town. We are busily renovating

it and would like to show it off to you. You'll be the

first people to see our new kitchen

Bryan, you have given me a great gift along with your

parents. Contacting me and meeting feels so good

to me - it completes something started so long ago

and it starts something wonderful and new. In my

wildest dreams I didn't dare hope for such a wonderful

opportunity. I look forward to hearing from you and

seeing you. Please let me know your travel plans and

dates you might arrive if you can.

Love,

Merrily

[Wasn't it Lawrence Welk who always said wonderful, wonderful?]