Autumn F.

To Whom It May Concern, It is with great enthusiasm (and maybe a little sadness that she’s not still with us every day) that I write this letter of recommendation for Autumn Ford, who has been a part of our family for the past 2.5 years. She began caring for our identical twin boys when they were one years old, and somehow managed to keep up with them—and keep her sense of humor—until they were three-and-a-half. That alone qualifies her for some sort of lifetime achievement award. From the very beginning, Autumn approached her work with professionalism, warmth, and flexibility. She navigated potty training for two toddlers at the same time (a true feat of patience and timing), supported them as they learned to talk (and talk... and talk…), and consistently put their needs first. She made sure they felt safe, loved, and understood—whether it was through a gentle word, a listening ear, or a spontaneous dance party in the living room. Her days with the boys were filled with both adventure and creativity. She took them to museums, the library, and parks—often on an e-bike, which in my opinion deserves extra hazard pay. They went on hikes and nature walks, built forts worthy of architectural awards, and explored the world in ways that kept them engaged and curious. She provided healthy, delicious snacks and homemade lunches that even I sometimes wanted to steal a bite of. In addition to her childcare skills, Autumn is the kind of person you can trust with your home, pets, and plants without a second thought. While we were away, she house- sat, cared for our dog, and kept our plants alive (which is more than I can say for myself). She also pitched in around the house—light cleaning, cooking, even fixing things that were broken—and was always willing to lend a hand without being asked. If she was ever unsure about something, she always asked first, a small but important gesture that reflects her respect and attentiveness. Autumn is kind, caring, reliable, and trustworthy. She is also the rare combination of someone who can be both fully engaged in the chaos of twin toddler life and calmly in control of it. We feel incredibly lucky to have had her in our lives, and I recommend her without reservation to any family in need of a loving, capable, and all-around wonderful caregiver. Sincerely, Avery and Matt Sheldon