Dear Audrey,
Yesterday you turned seven. Lucky seven. The day started as it usually does – we heard your alarm chirp, and a few seconds later, the pitter patter of your feet as you walked over to your dresser to turn it off, continuing down the hall to our room, where you climbed over Dad to snuggle down between us under the covers. A few minutes later, Dad rolled out of bed to go get your sister, still a warm sleepy bundle, and he carefully laid her down next to us before heading down to make the coffee. I don’t know how many more years you’ll want to climb into bed with us each morning. It seems as though seven snuck up on us rather quickly, and I have no doubt the next birthday, and the one after that, will come even faster. But for now…it’s our favorite part of the day. Just mama and her girls in the dark, quiet morning for a few moments before the bustle of a new day begins. Lucy and I sang Happy Birthday to you, and you giggled that same sweet belly laugh you’ve had since you were a baby.
Later in the day, Dad and I had lunch with you and Lucy at school, and you were so excited to tell us that you delivered the extra donut holes – the treat you chose to take to your class to celebrate your special day – to all of the other teachers in the school. You were so proud of yourself for “even going upstairs to the eighth grade classes!” We love your growing confidence at school, and your willingness to share with others. (And your little friend Olivia who is far bolder than you are, who went with you on your donut hole deliveries and encouraged you to go beyond what you knew.)
Sitting together at the lunch table, with the beat of the elementary school cafeteria humming all around us, you acted like you and Lucy and Dad and I were the only four people in the room. Your genuine excitement to have lunch with your family at school is such a testament to who you are. You love all of us so fiercely, and I hope it’s because you feel that fiercely loved by all of us. To love and be loved, that’s all I ever want for you.
You are a happy girl, with grand plans and big dreams. You prefer to skip, rather than walk. You prefer to giggle endlessly, rather than simply smile. You prefer to use all the glitter, rather than none at all. You prefer sweet, rather than salty. You prefer to fly upside down, rather than stay grounded. You prefer to reach for the next branch, the one just a little higher, rather than swing on the one down low. You’ve never met a tree you cannot climb. May you always have the confidence to climb as high as you can, and may you always know that the one at the bottom cheering the loudest, arms open wide to lift you higher or to catch your fall, is your mama.
Audrey, the moment you came into this world, you changed my life forever. Seven years later, I am still in awe of you, still madly in love with you, still can’t believe you’re mine. Every day – but on your birthday especially – I celebrate you.
I love you, baby. Happy birthday.
Mom
