Thirty-six years ago today I gave birth to my first born, a daughter.
She was due on April 18, 1984, however, she decided she wanted to see the world nine days earlier, April 9. And this momma was not happy about it. I had just given my notice at my part-time job a few days earlier. I couldn’t wait to stay at home alone, rest, and not have to report to work.
But of course, Adrienne, would not have that, and those of you who know Adrienne well, will testify that she was not going to let me rest, (haha).
When Adrienne was born, we were married for four years. We were trying to conceive since two years earlier, and this was not happening. I was envious of all my friends having babies before me. I would go into a deep depression because I wanted a baby in my life.
The good Lord answered our prayers and I was to become a mother. Randy and I were ecstatic! During this time I was working part-time for Tom Voinche Jr. at KJJB FM radio station, which was located at the corner of S. 2nd and Laurel, when I announced to my boss that I was pregnant.
Knowing my history that I wanted to become a mother and was trying to become pregnant for a long time, Voinche was just as excited as I was. Then I announced that after I delivered by baby that I wanted to become a stay-home mom. When I told him I was not going to return to work he was disappointed but understanding of my decision.
I can still remember to this day, Voinche called me two weeks after Adrienne was born to congratulate me and asked if I had changed by mind about returning to work. I laughed with him, and as I think about it today, I guess I was a good worker in the front office. He also gave me a nickname, “Girl Friday,” and to this day when I do see Voinche he calls out to me “Hey, Girl Friday.”
Adrienne Renee Miller was born on a Monday morning at 8:33 a.m., April 9, 1984 weighing 6 pounds and 12 ounces. She was born, as I like to say, with “peach fuzz” hair.
I learned later that a secret was kept from me on the day she was born. I did not discover or question it until the second morning the nurse brought her into my room to breast-feed her. That’s when I noticed after changing her diaper a large red extended marking on her right leg. As I freaked out, I asked Randy, my husband, “What is wrong with her leg?” He told me “Nothing, it’s a birth mark.”
To this day Adrienne sports a red-strawberry shaped birth mark, and it doesn’t bother her a bit. She started telling people at a young age when asked if she was burned or curious people asking what it was, she will answer with a big smile, “It’s a mark where an angel kissed me when I was born.”
My gynecologist and pediatrian both told me that when she becomes older that she may be able to surgically remove it or lightened the birth mark. We never did, nor Adrienne.
Today Adrienne is the most successful woman I have ever met. I’m proud of her. She is intelligent and is a great school counselor. When I have something that I don’t completely understand, or not knowledgeable about, she is my “go to person.” She usually has the right answer, and if she doesn’t, she will find out the correct one.
Adrienne is my stubborn, hard-headed, strong hard-driven, out-spoken daughter, and I would not trade her for anything less. She is a loving, caring, and nurturing woman. She absolutely adores her two nephews, Winston and Isaac.
Those of you who know Adrienne well will know that I’m speaking a fact when I say that Adrienne will lay down her life for her dog Rufus! She dresses him appropiately according to the weather forecast, holiday fashion, and birthday attire. And what I will never understand, he loves it or tolerates it! She celebrates his birthday faithfully every year, and by the way it is on March 14.
Today is her birthday, and even though she cannot leave her home to celebrate at her favorite restaurant, I do know she will postpone her celebration later, and we will celebrate like No tomorrow. Haha!
Happy Birthday “A,” Adrienne, (aka Nan). I love you today and everyday beyond today.