My favorite cowgirl

I'm a day late but the sentiment is strong and heartfelt. Yesterday was Jamie Lynn's 25th birthday -- marking a quarter-century of boozing, hard living and trouble-making.

Yeah, right.

No, March 10 was a special day in the life of someone's who become very special to me and all of our family. My daughter-in-law Jamie celebrated her birthday in the company of our son, Jordan, and with good wishes from all corners of the Facebook universe. If you know anything about Jamie, you know she's the epitome of sunny and sweet.

It's been a delight to see Jamie evolve from bashful newcomer to beloved relative in the course of her courtship, engagement and marriage to Jordan. He could not be with a kinder, finer young lady than her as they deal with their first few months of living away from family at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.

It was an adjustment on both sides when Jamie met our family. We're the typical Northeast Portland liberals who've lived in or near cities all their lives and have little interest in organized religion. She, on the other hand, grew up on a ranch in southern Oregon, raised horses and other animals, drove a truck and an ATV, and made plenty of space in her life for Christianity and Sunday services.

That she and Jordan met at a summer horse camp (she as the instructor, he as a starstruck camper) was telling. Both share a love of animals and the outdoors. Both love physical activities. And it seems to me they don't need much more than each other -- well, maybe a DVD movie and a couple of burritos -- to have a nice evening together. Somehow, Jamie has become a fan of the UFC -- the mixed-martial arts sports known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

I'm very happy that Jamie has become part of our lives and very proud to call her my D.I.L. She comes from a great family and I hope we can all celebrate her next birthday together.