On the Wings of a Mallard (A love story)

There is a place, tucked under tall pines off the shore of Schroon River, that is home to your parents' love. Nine years ago they came here together, and found something neither of them expected. A friendship, a bond that blossomed there in the sun dappled shade. A whisper, a promise of the truest commitment.

Each summer they returned here and hid themselves away in their old yellow Mallard. They laughed and they played, they loved and they lingered. Wrapped in the warmth of sweet sappy breezes, snuggled close on the porch, by the fire, in the bed. Never bored, never restless. Content with the peace they could find only here.

It was this place that marked the start of their journey, as partners... as husband and wife. When your Daddy asked Mommy to finally get married, they went back to the old yellow Mallard to celebrate the engagement, to honor the roots of their love. They cradled each other in their most favorite spot, looking out the small windows up high into the tilting and swaying tall pines.

And so it only made sense that when the time arrived to create you, little one, this was the beginning of that journey, too. To escape from the mess and the chaos of real life, to return to the dream state of summer romance, hands held tight together with tenderness and glee... to capture those glimmers and sparks of true passion. There was no better place they could be.

Despite all of their efforts, you were not conceived here - not in the biological sense, anyway - but in their hearts, you've been here all along. So when they opened that old yellow Mallard once again this season, your parents couldn't help but feel proud and completely elated to have you there with them for the task.

The waters are high from a very rough winter (your Nonna says there hasn't been one like this since the year your Daddy was born), and the porch of their little camp is in need of repair. But as far as your Mommy and Daddy can tell, life couldn't be more perfect. You wiggled and kicked inside Mommy's belly and waved hello to the outside, to the world you'll be a part of real soon.