Thinking back on all the years I spent at the Wallace household, up into the early hours of Saturday and Sunday morning, I am floored by Geoff's patience and ability to sleep so deeply! There is no way either of my parents would ever have put up with all the shenanigans Katie and Ian and I got into. One memory in particular stands out. We had been partying all night, per usual. I must have fallen asleep on the couch in the living room. Geoff got up at some point to use the restroom and, while his bed was left unattended, I commandeered it in my drunken stupor. Poor Geoff came to get back in bed and found a drunken Goldilocks had taken his spot! He tried to wake me to make me get up and go back to the couch, but said I just keep giggling and NOT moving. Well, that was that. Being too nice and patient and compassionate, Geoff was just up for the day at that point and I was left to sleep it off.

I was born an O'Brien and became a Crook when I got married in 2015. What some of you may not know, though, is I became an honorary Wallace in 1997. It was a relatively simple process; as I remember it went a little something like going over to Katie's dad's house, her introducing me as her friend, and BOOM! I was part of the family. There were nothing but perks to being an honorary Wallace. Trips to Kings Island, vacations to Hilton Head, rides home in the Jeep after school. We may have to run errands with Geoff to Sam's Club, but he'd get our favorite treats of Blow Pops and M&M chocolate chip cookies. Geoff and I would bond over the word jumble in the newspaper and I knew if he couldn't figure one out, there was no way I could. In college, the man kept me fed many months when he'd stock us up on Digiorno pizza, ranch dressing, diet coke, and spicy mets. At Christmas time he'd make a special batch of turtles, no nuts, just so I could enjoy some. When I could no longer keep my dog, Jackson, over to Geoff's house Katie and I went with a foolproof plan to make Geoff fall in love. It was a relatively simple process; as I recall it went a little something like taking Jackson over to Geoff's house, introducing him as a very good dog, and BOOM! Jackson was a Wallace. Geoff was at my wedding and watched my dog, Griff, when I was on my honeymoon. He welcomed Peter into the honorary family as easily as he had anyone else. He always asked about my boys and my family and always told me to give them all his love. He was so giving and generous - if we needed a place to hang out or do a project, if we needed an absurd variety of hats, if we needed a ride somewhere or wanted food to eat, he would make it happen. I felt safe and happy and welcome in his home. Geoffrey Wallace , it has been an honor being your Adopted Daughter, your wild child. I love you and will always love you, and I will watch out for my honorary sister and brother. Keep watch over all of us and help us see the world with your sense of wonder and delight.