In the Beginning

A history of my life has to begin before I was born. It all started some time in 1976. My Dad was on vacation visiting his Grandparents in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. My Mom's family lived in Elizabeth City at the time. They met at church. My mom threw Jello at my Dad in a food fight, she invited him to a dance (which she ended up not attending). After that they started writing to each other.

They wrote throughout my Dad's mission to Montanna, and by the time he returned to his parents new home town of Elizabeth City, they had become good friends. They dated and fell in love pretty quickly after that. Finally, on July 2nd, 1981 when my Mom, Sheila Toy Yoder, and my Dad, Michael Glenn Brown, got married. Dad was going to school at the time, and mom was working at a bank.

My Grandpa, Frank Toy Yoder, had a conversation with my parents before they were married about how birth control was unnecessary as God would bring children into the world at the right time (as consistent with the beliefs of that day and age). So my parents didn't use conventional birth control, they tried to use the Rhythm method to predict my mom's cycle. Needless to say they became pregnant 2 months after they were married. I was a bit of a surprise, but they had faith that it would all work out.

My parents didn't have insurance at the time. My mom only had a few doctors visits to make sure I was ok, but they just couldn't afford medical bills, so for the most part they hoped it would all worked out. Mom continued to work at the bank for the extent of her pregnancy to support herself and my dad while he rushed to finish his certificate. Their prayers were answered when my Dad completed his certificate and found a job whose insurance completely covered my birth on June 3rd, 1982.

Although I don't remember much of my early years, I'm told my Mom had so much fun learning to be a Mom. We would watch Magnum P.I. together. She would clean and cook like crazy while I napped so she could spend time with me when I was awake. People would constantly comment "You really love that baby, don't you?" My parents might not have had a lot of money, but we certainly had love.

It's All About Me (till a quarter to three)

I’m dedicating this blog to my life story. For some reason keeping a journal feels like a never-ending death sentence. I don’t know why, but writing a book about my life seems far more enticing because I can skim through the boring parts, edit out the annoying parts and really get into the details of the more interesting sections of my life.

I decided to write my story in blog form to keep me motivated and more accountable to the goal. It’s really just a project for me, and not everyone will want to read all the details of my life. Don’t worry; I won’t be offended if you don’t read.

I just want to take some time once a week to record my life so I don’t forget it. Maybe some day when I’m rich and famous I can make millions of dollars selling this to someone. Until then, this is just for me!