It is interesting how the moments that change our lives often happen without any planning or intention.On Dec. 23, life dealt me one such moment.It was the Friday before Christmas, my shopping was finished, my holiday plans had been made and life was about as wonderful as it gets. I didn’t need anything, I was just happy to be going into one of my favorite holidays of the year with a healthy family.All I needed to do was finish a four to five hour stint at the Tollefson Publishing offices in Luverne.Then I would be free to go on with my holiday vacation.About an hour into the morning, I started talking with Lori Ehde about a kitten she was getting her children for Christmas.I had encouraged this idea from the moment she first spoke about it in November.As a child, I always had kittens and cats around and it was wonderful. It taught me everything I know about life and death.My childhood cat, Tweedle, would have a couple litters of kittens every year. My siblings and I would fall in love with every single kitten. We would have to learn how to say goodbye when they left our lives or when one would get sick. It was sometimes hard, but that love is still so much a part of me as an adult.Those experiences are irreplaceable and I have few that are more precious.Therefore, it makes sense that I thought the young Ehde children should have a kitten of their own. Sure, they already have two house cats, but that is different than having your own kitten.So, on that fateful morning, Lori agreed to bring her new kitten into the office for visit. Things were slow -– and after all, it was a holiday Friday.When Lori’s new kitten arrived, it brought one of its brothers with it.This little furry brother was the cutest thing I had seen in years. It was about six and a half weeks old and obviously missing its mother. You could hear its piercing cry in the back of the office. It just wanted to be snuggled and loved.My mind instantly started racing. Who did I know who could love and house this perfect kitten?I called David at home to see if we could bring a kitten to my parents’ house for Christmas.He was instantly shocked – what was I talking about?After explaining the situation to him, he agreed to come to Luverne to see this "perfect" kitten for himself.While I awaited his arrival, I called my mother. She said that my little brother might be needing a kitten to get over the death of his old cat, and we both agreed that my niece (just 3 years old) needed a kitten of her own. She told me not to worry; a kitten would be welcome among the Labradors, Pomeranians and two housecats already at her house for the weekend.As far as I was concerned, it was a done deal. The kitten was coming home with me and then would go to the family member most wanting of a new friend.Little did I know that the family member who would be the most dedicated to adding a kitten to their home was arriving at my office any minute.When David walked in and saw the kitten sitting inside my purse, playing with the straps, he claims he knew it was meant to be his.I contested this idea from the beginning. No, this kitten wasn’t for us, we already have three cats, it is for someone else.No matter how many worst-case scenarios I laid out or how many problems I was sure it would cause in my already very hairy house, we were keeping this new animal.At the end of the weekend, I finally gave in.I let down my guard and opened my heart. It was instant love. This cat, who deserves to be on the cover of cat calendars and I-love-cat bumper stickers was now mine and I love it.David chose to name it Whiney Wendell, and I decided it would become Prince Wendell, the dragon slayer.Of course, those problems and scenarios I envisioned will all come true, but what can you do? Some faces are just too cute to say no to. And my husband and my Wendell both have those faces.This spring we will install the official "Crazy Cat Lady" plaque on the front of our home. With four house cats, it is a well-earned title.As for life surprising us with unplanned changes, I guess that is just what we do. We adapt to the changes, whether good or bad, and move on.Story ideas or comments can be emailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 962-3561.