My husband and I met as children when his family visited mine at our family Hazelnut orchard in the Pacific Northwest. We grew up together, fell in love, and got married nearly twenty years ago. Over the years, we have been blessed with six children. Two of our sons had special needs. Their names were Cooper and Whitaker. Our special boys shared joy and love with everyone they met! They both loved sunlight and had amazing smiles. In honor of their memories and because they taught us what a powerful impact brief lives can have for good, I named my flower garden after Whitaker, who went to be with the Lord when he was six years old.