A special thanks to my best girl

Tomorrow at 12:23 pm, my baby girl… my oldest, turns 9. Last of the single digits. I mean…gah! Where did it all go? I think of the times we stayed up night after night trying to get that sleep schedule down. My husband doing everything he could to appease me and feeling like he was failing this high anxiety, nothing’s good enough, “DO SOMETHING!” wife. P.S.- Luey, you did everything right. We were both new to the whole baby thing, and I’m sorry for not seeing you and appreciating the blessing God had given me in you. Thank you for taking care of me during that time and every.day.since.

Where we once spent our times “strolling” through parks, watching Paw Patrol and picking up toddler size snacks from in between couch cushions, we’ve moved on to unbelievable function and sport schedules (that I still can’t fathom how human beings pull them off year after year), math homework and cries for “just five more minutes!” on her iPad so she can see the latest on Billie Eilish…sigh.

When I was in the thick of baby and toddler stages, I thought, “oh once they get into school, everything will change”. And it did! But not the way I thought. I didn’t get my time back, and it didn’t necessarily get ‘easier’. What DID happen is I realized that through every season I’ve been blessed to have with my child, she has stretched me… pushed me… taught me. Taught me to turn the other cheek. Love them anyway. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Appreciate the people that want to be in my life and learn from the ones that don’t. Her wit, charm and beauty cannot be denied. It soaks up every pore. She is pure light and quite possibly the kindest person I know.

I have many hopes and dreams for this darling girl. The biggest would have to be the hope of contentment. That she feels she has everything she needs and welcomes letting go of what she doesn’t. That her aspirations are fulfilling and her cup runneth over…more than enough to share with others in her lifetime.

Happy Birthday, My Precious Angel Baby. Thank you for touching my life and giving me the most joy I’ve ever known. Always know that you are Deeply Loved.