Happy Birthday Eliza

Once upon a time there was a prince and princess from different kingdoms who went off to the same faraway land.  They lived very near each other in what was called "The Elms" apartments.  They fell in love and married and became the king and queen of their own palace.  They were very blessed in their desire to provide heirs.  Their firstborn was a handsome and courageous prince,  their second born was another handsome and courageous prince.  In fact, their third, fourth and fifth children were all handsome and courageous princes.  Such a lovely court, with so many handsome princes, but the question went about the land, would a princess ever grace the palace?  The general consensus of the populace was, "Doubtful."  Even the king and queen did not believe there would ever be a princess coming to them.  They had been so happy with their valiant sons no one voiced concern, but in the heart of the queen was a secret longing.  If she could someday, somehow have a little girl...someone to talk to about pink, someone to share her feminine heart, someone to watch Anne of Green Gables and Pride and Prejudice, all her wishes would come true.  Well, another baby was to be born to the royal family.

  All were happy with the prospect of another fine boy to grace the kingdom.  The queen welcomed the idea of another son, but did allow herself just enough hope to choose a name for a girl.  In the remote possibility that a princess presented herself, her name would be Elizabeth (from the bible) Laurie (after her mother).  She would be called Eliza after Eliza R. Snow, and because it's sassy and adorable and seemed like a good idea.  Then the fateful day came.  Labor was long, but not hard and a beautiful baby was safely delivered.  To the amazement of all, the announcement came, "It's a girl."  The first princess in the Stoker kingdom!  Cheers were heard throughout the land.  The queen cried tears of joy, could life be so wonderful?  Five sons and a daughter too?

The little princess was beautiful with big blue eyes and chubby cheeks and legs. She did have a bit of the run of the house.  The royal family worked tirelessly to please her.  She rewarded them with smiles and hugs and a loving manner.  There were those times however, when things did not go her way, and she let her voice be heard.  If her voice was heard too much her royal subjects (the princes) made themselves less available and at times ventured to laugh at her anger.  They knew that after enough time transpired, she would forgive them and smile again.

The princess and her grandparents

dancing with the king

The princess and her cousin (Princess Abigail) in matching gowns.

Her highness and Duke, the grandparents' royal dog.

The king and queen loved their little princess and provided her with all they could in the way of education and opportunities.  There was much spoiling of the princess in the palace, but the king was particularly wont to bequeath her with gifts.  The princes were spoiled also, but the king especially didn't want his little girl to go without. In spite of the spoiling, she worked hard in her studies and her responsibilities in the palace.  She excelled in many areas.

All of the heirs at the wedding of the first born

When she came of age, she went off to the faraway land. There she met a handsome prince of her own who used cunning and skill to win her hand in marriage.  They were sealed in the Manti temple and live happily ever after.

The king and queen still love their little princess even though she belongs to another and has her own kingdom.  When she returns for a visit the royal family rejoices and all are blessed by her lively sense of humor and goodness and fun.  She is still beautiful with big blue eyes, but alas, she no longer has chubby cheeks and legs.  And the queen is grateful that this little princess will always be her daughter, and the queen will never forget her.