A story of a girl

It began 26 years ago today, on a sunny yet brezzy morn. March 23, 1981, my friends. A day that will go down in history.

That was the day the world met Laura Ladell Tomlinson.

And so the story begins....

Tommy and Melita Tomlinson and their oldest daughter Kristen, at the ripe age of 2, anxiously await the arrival of their newest boundle of joy. They will call her LAURA LADELL. It was an exciting time in the Tomlinson household as this child was early, but being the mother that she was, and still is today, Melita was prepared.

No fear.

Laura arrived. She was a cute little thing. Kristen soon found out that she was able to boss around this new addition.

The first two years of Laura's life went by seemingly eventless. A few poo-poos here and there and a few play dates with her friend Mary Straton, but it wasn't until 2 years later that her life really kicked it up a notch.

See, it was then that Laura recieved the greatest gift...a baby sister. And what a joy this little sister was. Cute thing, no doubt.

But, alas, this story is about Laura.

See, Laura was always a curious child, like that time she decided to play in a "sand" pile, also known as a fire ant bed, and was rushed to the ER resulting in the beautiful holes still present in her legs today.

Laura was also the "good child", if you will. She never liked to be in trouble. In the first grade her stomach often hurt due to stress of trying to be angel.

Laura grew up quickly. In junior high she struggled with her hair. Let's me just be straight forward with you: it was frizzy. You must know that Laura has curly hair. However, at the age of 13 she fought this by blowdrying it daily, resulting in a massive mop on top of her head.

But she quickly learned the ways of being a curly-haired woman. And that, along with the discovery of tweezers and make-up, lead to the coming out of a beautiful young woman. And Miss Starkville Academy 1999 was crowned. Shining moment in the Tomlinson home.

Laura grew and grea and soon so she finds her way to MSU. A KD at State, Laura was often seen drinking Dr. Pepper and eating blow-pops as a freshman. Time went on and Laura one day decided to go for a run. And she ran. And ran. And kept running. By the time her first run had come to an end, she was a as thin as a rail and fit as ever. She traited her DP for Diet Coke and her blow-pops for Granny Smith apples.

A new woman was born.

Laura soon finished her degree at the great university of Mississippi State and began her career as a school teacher. You must understand: some people are born doctors, criminals, mothers, etc... Laura was born a teacher.

Parents from accross the county heard this news and quickly sent their children to Suddeth Elementary in hopes that Miss T. would be the life-changing angel for their child.

And she is.

That brings us up to date. Today Miss T. can be found running down University, watching Desperate Housewives and drinking wine with her girlfriends, enjoying a buritto at Mexico Tipico, talking to Max, and taking pictures of her nephew.

This story doesn't end here, this is only the beginning. You see, today is Laura's birthday, the day of her birth, the celebration of her life. And it is a day like today that we turn our heads to the north and say:

"Happy Birthday to you, Laura. May your hair continue to curl and your legs continue to run. May your days be brightened by by the sun that hits your back and the wine that touches your lips. It is your day, and we pause to say: Happy Birthday to you."

THE END! LOVE YOU!