120 Months : Blog a la Cart

My Addison Weeks,
My Sun Bun,
My Lilac Baby,
My Lady Bug,
My Peanut,
My First Born,
My Sunny,

Today you are ten. 1-0! 10! You have been in the world one whole decade and that is simultaneously mind-boggling and totally and completely right.

I can picture you sighing and gently smiling as you read that sentence, as you have noted that that is the sentiment of all of my birthday letters to you: the onslaught of time juxtaposed by the sweetness of the present. Because, yes, you’ve now read this here blog, and all of the letters (Read here the other letters vpnbug). And that is what I dreamed you’d do. And here we are, a decade later, and the very words I wrote for you above all others are being processed and understood and read by your very eyes. It is a wonder to behold you grow into a person who can now relate to her mother in this way. I so adore this stage. I so adore you.

I think often about your entry into our lives, so immediately (simultaneously!) on the heels of our marriage. Of course you were with us over a decade ago as your daddy and I began our family atop that soggy mountain in front of all our family and friends. Of course you’ve been with us every step of the way. You have made this life more rich, more meaningful, and more, just so much more. We are endlessly grateful you began when you did, and have enlivened every element of our lives since. It is the rightest of right things that has ever happened to me. And it laid the groundwork for this now full and chaotic and wonderful household in which you live. I can’t imagine our family any other way. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

My wish for you is that you carry your kindness, your unwavering empathy, the gentleness of your spirit, your curiosity, your flexibility, and your immense heart with you into this next decade of your life. It has been the greatest pleasure nurturing these generous and beautiful parts of you – I hope you never lose sight of them. I hope you know that they are the parts of you that make us most proud. While you’ve made the daunting task of learning to parent (plight of life as a first born) a breeze with your smarts, your hard work, your dedication, your easy going nature – it is that caring heart of yours that makes us proudest of all. I hope you’ll always hold the world with compassion – and may it do likewise for you.

I will always be your biggest fan. I will always love you most of all.

Thank you for making me a mother a decade ago. Happiest 10th Birthday, my Sunny girl.
143 always
xo Mama