I have been with my boyfriend (Kyle) for five years, and this was the first Willow Tree gift I have ever received. His sister has been collecting them for years, and I have always adored them. This year, Kyle's mom bought me one to start my own collection. These past couple months have been tough on our relationship because Kyle has been gone working on the other side of the state for about 8-9 of those months. The distance has made us closer and confirmed our commitment to one another and has shown his and my family that we plan on spending the rest of our lives together. This gift from his mother was a way of her welcoming me into her family. They have welcomed me into their lives and have made me feel comfort in knowing that I will forever have a second family with them.

Submitted by sarah in mi, December 2011