#1 little brother.

Chase.

Happy birthday(:

I love you more then words can express!

You are truly the most loving person I've ever met!

If everyone had a heart that size, the world would be a wonderful place.

You're so kind and gentle with those around you.

You're happy and you radiate joy.

You're an amazing friend to everyone you meet.

You protect me and stand up for me when I need you (:

You are seriously the funniest person I've ever met, including myself, which is saying something (:

You are amazingly talented in everything you set your mind to!

You've been my best friend since the day you were born!

We laughed together, played together, pretended and imagined together.

I'll cherish all those moments forever.

And I'm so excited to create so many more memories with you (:

You're amazing Chase, and don't you forget it!

I love you!

Happy birthday!

Sincerely,

Samantha Dru

Never too old.

You're never too old.

Never too old for Disney movies.

Never too old to cry in daddy's arms.

Coloring books are for all ages.

And "Go Fish" is a game for everyone.

Covering your sidewalk in chalk is a perfectly acceptable summer day activity.

And of course you finish the day with otter pops.

Bubblegum ice cream is the best flavor.

And when it snows the only logical thing to do is build a snowman.

And never forget, if the box is big enough to sit in, you turn it into a box car. Always.

Spaghetti is to be slurped up noodle by noodle.

And scooby-doo is a prime form of entertainment.

There should always be one character tshirt in your closet.

And always blow bubbles in your milk.

Never forget,

You're never too old to be a kid (:

Sincerely,

Samantha Dru

Blank Pages.

I have 365 blank pages ahead of me,

Ready to be filled.

And I'm so excited to fill them.

With memories,

With the good times and bad,

And things to laugh about,

And the moments I cry.

I want to rewrite my story,

Not like its ever been.

Because the main character has changed.

I'm not the Sam Murphy I've been the past 16 years.

I'm going to be the Sam Murphy who is kind,

And honest,

Who is a reliable person,

And a great friend.

I'm going to be the Sam Murphy who gives it her all,

In everything she does.

She's not going to be one to give up,

She'll work at it until she achieves her goals.

And she's going to be happy.

Because she'll choose to be.

And she's going to write the best story yet.

With 365 blank pages.

Sincerely,

Samantha Dru

New Year.

2013.

12 months.

52 weeks.

365 days.

8,760 hours.

525,600 minutes.

31,536,000 seconds.

Full of tears,

And full laughter.

Full of friends,

And full of family,

Then there were disappointments,

And there were accomplishments,

There was sorrow and excitement,

And so many memories.

Every day was a journey,

Filled with decisions,

Uncertainty,

Hope,

And blessings.

I can honestly say it was the hardest year of my life,

But without a doubt also the most wonderful.

I discovered who I am.

I made so many life-changing decisions.

I made mistakes.

And learned about consequences.

I made some amazing new friends,

And reunited with some old ones.

I accomplished goals,

And made some new ones.

I found happiness again,

After a long time without it.

I slowly starting becoming the Sam Murphy I want to be.

So 2013,

Thanks for being so good to me. 

                       Sincerely,

                     Samantha Dru

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!
Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, much like every other child in the world.
And as I grew older, my favorite holiday stayed the same, though the reasons I love it changed.
When I was a little girl, I loved the toys, I loved being with my cousins and family I only see once a year.
I loved the candy canes and hot chocolate, and I loved every cartoon Christmas movie that came on TV.
As I grew older, the toys and gifts became less significant, and the true meaning of Christmas is what made the day truly special.
Gifts became fewer and fewer, yet the day became more and more anticipated.
I look forward to quality time with my family.
I look forward to smiling strangers and kind deeds.
I love the good old traditions and wonderful company.
I count down to when I talk to my missionaries.
And most of all, I love what the 25th of December is set apart to celebrate.
The birth of Christ.
My Savior and Redeemer,
Brother and Friend.
What a truly miraculous day.
The Savior of the world,
The man who would eventually give up His own life to save me,
To save all of us,
Is born.
And this is why I love Christmas.
Because I owe everything I am and have, and more, to Christ, and setting apart one day in my busy life to celebrate Him, is truly an honor.
I love my Savior.
I know He lives.
And I am so happy to celebrate Him today.
Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

Samantha Dru

Happy Birthday TJ(:

Happy Birthday to my best friend!
He's my rock.
He's the one who has always been there.
I trust him with my life.
I can and do tell him everything.
If I ever need to talk, he's who I go to.
He makes me laugh all the time.
He's one of the kindest people I have ever met.
He's dedicated to all he does.
He's as genuine as is comes.
I miss him like crazy.
I think about all our good times every day.
Like how he is the only person who can make me laugh my true laugh.
He's the one person who I have never felt judged by, no matter what I told him.
He helped me through some of the hardest times of my life.
He's kept every promise he has ever made to me.
He's really my best friend.
I love him.
So much.

And guess what, folks.
He'll be home in 66 days(:
That will hands down, be the best day ever!
I'm ready to see my best friend again.
We have a lot more memories to make.
Love you TJ!
Happy birthday!

Sincerely,

Samantha Dru