April 2, 2010. Artemas, Pa. Tojo and Connie.

It is very exciting to be in at the beginning, at least, almost at the beginning. Tonight at dinner in the pump house at the farm, on a beautiful warm evening, Connie and Tojo announced to us that their second child would be born in October. Wendy and Claussen were with us too, so we all got the good news at the same time. We were thrilled. Number one son, Claussen, was not impressed, but at eighteen months, all he wanted was more food.

We have known Tojo since he was tiny, so it has been a pleasure to see him grow up. Both his siblings married and began having babies, while Tojo continued dating ladies that we just kept holding our breath he would not marry. Then he met Connie and we loved her. She was an artist and she taught school. She loved Nova Scotia and she loved Tojo and he loved her. It was obvious to all, but Christmas came and went and no engagement. And next Christmas came and went with still no ring. Finally I could not stand it any longer, so I asked Tojo when he was going to marry Connie. He said "Soon". I was happy, but I held my breath.

Tojo and Connie were married in Nova Scotia at Wendy and Claussen's home right next door. It was a lovely wedding. A few years later, along came baby Claussen. Tojo is in the real estate business in Baltimore and Connie teaches art at a magnet school. They are a wonderful young couple and it was a special evening to be part of this development in their lives. Every summer they vacation in Nova Scotia so we see them often. Spending Easter weekend at the farm with them is almost as good as having your own family here. We are so fortunate with our friends and the children of our friends.