Anyone who knows the Fords realize that we are a close family. God blessed me and Bobby with three beautiful daughters a lot of family traditions. One of our traditions was “in the boat”.

Bobby and I both worked odd hours as the family was coming up. Whenever we were home together, the girls were always invited to join us in the bed and lie between us or better known as “in the boat”. When the kids were “in the boat” we discussed everything from what happened in school that to day to what they wanted for supper. Many important decisions were made “in the boat” including wardrobe purchases, weekend plans, vacations and everything that mattered to us as a family.

The night before Kasie and Phil were married everyone spent the night at our house. Early on the morning of her wedding, Kasie came into our room and asked if she could get in the boat. She crawled in the bed between me and Bobby and before long Shelley and Amy joined us. Shortly after, Kayla and Savannah got in the boat also. By this time the boat was really crowded. We knew this would probably never happen again so Bobby got up, climbed a ladder and took a picture of all of us “in the boat”. I don’t remember what we talked about that morning but I do remember the joy I felt having everyone at home and “in the boat”.

Many adventures were planned and problems solved over the years in the boat but this special moment will be long remembered. Our boat will never be as full as it was that morning so I recommend some time “in the boat” for all families. I miss you Kasie.

Love – Mom