Amy Tobias Photography

Congratulations to Linda Thiessen for winning the grand prize and congrats to Sue Dixon, the runner up.  There were a lot of great entries and we wish we could give the prize to everyone!  It was such a pleasure and joy to call and surprise the winners.  We can't wait until July 17th when you have your big day Linda!!  And Sue, can't wait until we get to do your special day as well.  I am sure we will have more contests like this in the future so be sure to join my mailing list to receive updates and special announcements. 

Linda Thiessen was nominated by Shamary Hampton and this is her winning letter:

"I nominate my mother-in-law, Linda Thiessen, for the "Queen for a Day Contest."  Linda is the strongest woman I have ever known.  She is an excellent mother to her three children who she always supports, even in their adult life.  She never judges anyone.  Linda is a breast cancer survivor.  Most recently, she helped care for 6 granddaughters for a couple of years while her daughter dealt with issues in her life and at the same time returned to school in her late 50s.  After a couple of difficult divorces early in her life, she raised her three children by herself, completed a Bachelors Degree in Business, and held a full-time job (sometimes more than one).  She is now 62 and is completing a second college degree in order to start a new career in the IT industry despite being retired.  She's an amazing woman whose attitute to life is inspiring to others.  She's the person I look up to the most.  I always say that when I grow up I want to be just like her.  For these and many other reasons I feel that Linda truly deserves to be "Queen for a Day!"

Sue Dixon was nominated by James Dixon and this is part of his runner up letter:

"I have many reasons for nomination.  First and foremost being that she is, without a doubt, a supermom.  She is raising my 2-year old nephew even though she suffers from Fibromyalgia.  Mom just turned 55 in May and should be taking life easy and kicking back, but she doesn't have the time.

My mom seems to always put others before herself.  My sister Stephani was in a bad car accident in 1996 that left her in a bad way.  Mom helped nurse her back to health over a long period of time.  Now, as Stephani can't take care of her child, my Mom stepped up into that position.

During the flood of '08, Mom helped a lot of people out with a vast array of things.  She cooked food for people, gave them a place to stay, let them store their belongings in her garages for nothing."

Thanks again to everyone who sent in nominations.  We were overwhelmed by all of the goodness some people do and how people put others needs in front of their own.  Congrats to the winners...you are an inspiration to us all.

Amy