This is the start of A Hare Affair – this pretty little blanket ( that I later pulled apart and started over because the edge is very wrong). When Kristalyn was born, I was in Canada and couldn’t meet her or be by her Mommy’s side for 6 months. But I wanted her to know how much she was loved and how excited we were that she was here. Because of my relationship with Samantha, it was almost like we shared this beautiful little girl. I needed to hug her and hold her and tell her how amazingly special she was, how absolutely wanted and hoped for, and how long we had talked about finding a way to bring her into the world. I wanted her to know how strong her Mommy was and what a good Mommy she would be. I wanted to promise her that we’d always take care of her, and be there when she needed us, to show her how amazingly grateful we were for this little miracle. So, I made her an Aunt Ashley hug that she could have all the time. She was already my little Princess, no matter how far away, so it needed to be pink and feminine, and full of love and joy.
A couple years later I made her a mermaid blanket and the first time I tucked her in, she excitedly jumped up in her crib and showed it to me, her little fingers squishing the stitches. I hugged her so she would’t see the tears (lol), said our goodnights, and tucked her in again.
Kristalyn Marie, you are so very special and so amazingly loved. I know I can’t be there for everything, but I think about you and your brother Tommy, every single day. I can’t wait to see you both grow up – all the adventures you’ll have, all the trouble you get into, and the people you become. I was incredibly blessed to have met your Mommy, let alone become a part of your loving family. Thankful doesn’t begin to cut it.
It’s crazy to think that this all started because of a tiny little blanket, but it’s also so wonderfully perfect. I learned to crochet in a time when my family was scared, but, as always, we coped with love – and a little stitching. It’s only fitting that the start of A Hare Affair embody that same abundance of care and hope.💜
