The Lehnhof Family

Stephanie, my sister, planned to spend the summer in Chile. Stephanie is a Spanish major at BYU and wishes to teach English as a second language. At the last minute Stephanie decided to stay home, with big news. Stephanie is getting married on August 23. So, it looks like I get to help plan a wedding this summer . . .

Stephanie and I are both adopted. The stories of our adoptions aren't especially interesting, but you'd be surprised by the questions people ask when they find out. Both of us were born to young single mothers who chose to give their babies lives with two parents. When Stephanie came home, I asked my mom over and over when her mom was going to come pick her up! I was used to being the center of attention . . .

On Stephanie's first birthday, my mom told me she was going to put Stephie down for a nap and decorate the birthday cake, and then we would have a party. At two years old, I interpreted this to mean that if Stephanie did not nap, she would not have a party. I filled a cup of water from the bathroom and dumped it on Stephie's head as she lay in her crib. I still remember how I pulled the stool to the bathroom sink, walked carefully down the hall trying not to spill the water, and how I couldn't really see into Stephanie's crib as I turned the cup upside down. I do remember the birthday party I was unable to prevent, and family video shows me sulking and trying to sneak my finger into the frosting of the birthday cake!

We did play well together most of the time as children, but we also were great with our fingernails when we were angry, especially Stephanie. Stephanie was really sweet when she was little, but she had a fiesty side to her. One minute Stephanie would write a sweet note about how much she loved me and the next minute she would be biting and scratching! Stephanie and I weren't especially competetive, except for when it came to music. One day after I began piano lessons, which I begged to take, my mom called us all into the family room where Stephanie had picked out the melody to "Joy to the World." It became clear that Stephanie had perfect pitch. Although Stephanie started playing much later than me, and I was more serious, Stephanie caught up quickly. We would often fight because I would work hard to learn a piece and since Stephanie could hear me practicing, she would pick up the song much more quickly when it was her turn.

It doesn't surprise me that she speaks Spanish so well - she has a great ear!