Dear Cadence,
I'm overwhelmed.
These years are slipping by much to fast and I feel like I'm watching you grow up with the fast forward button permanently depressed.
Do you have any idea how wonderful you are?
How beautiful?
How intelligent?
How delightful?
Do you know how happy it makes me to hear you laugh?
How it breaks my heart to see you cry?
You were my first big surprise. I always wanted to be a mother. I thought I knew what it would be like.
Then they placed you in my arms. You didn't cry or fuss. You just looked at me and this new world around you with your huge blue eyes. Just taking it all in.
And I looked at you and I realized that I had no idea. None at all.
My love for you was instant. Almost painful in its intensity and alarmingly vast in its scope. We were responsible for you now. Responsible for loving you, shaping you, and guiding you.
Responsibility was not a new thing for either of your parents, but it was suddenly so much heavier than I have ever known it to be. You weren't bills, or chores, or obligations.
You were something much, much more and I was elated and terrified by the new responsibility I held in my arms.
I want you to know that you have made that responsibility so easy to bear.
You are naturally kind and good.
You love so easily and are so very clever.
You accept responsibility easily and always do your best.
I'm equal parts enchanted and entertained by your ability to be creative.
You always seem to know when it is time to come back to earth and plant your feet solidly on the ground, ready to face reality.
You are such a gift. Such a blessing.
I know that some of the hardest years are ahead, but I take comfort in who you are showing yourself to be: a smart and capable young woman who knows who she is and values herself.
Today you are nine years old. The past nine years have been the best of my life and you are a huge part of my happiness.
I know I don't always say it but...
I'm thankful for you.
I'm happy with and for you.
I'm proud of you.
I'm in awe of you.
But most of all I love you with a love so big, so vast, that there isn't anything you could do that would make me stop loving.
Happy Birthday my big girl.
