Dear Chloe-
On the morning of your birthday, and even the night before, as I drifted off to sleep, I felt as if I had blinked, and you turned 4. Four years old. You amaze me every single day with all your quirks and the often crazy things you say. Your tenderness with your brother, your Lukie, and your parents. Every time you spontaneously hug us or tell us you love us. You amaze me.
You are only four, but at the same time, you are ALREADY four. Time has flown by, and as I read somewhere I need to remember that “despite my very best efforts, there was no way to freeze time.”
Instead, I cherish all the memories and moments that make my soul sparkle with joy. Every day. Like when you told me you wanted (and still do!) “Big hair like Babunzel.” And better yet, when you reminded me the other day that “Lucas has crocodiles [on his PJs] because he bites all the kids.” The precious moments in the morning when I play doll with you and you let me do your hair “Can I have a new hairstyle?” [You are still learning how to say some of your S words] the moments when your smile shines with total excitement, when we went to the spray park the week of your birthday, and you were surprised I let you run through it eventhough we had no bathing suit (or towels, or a change of clothes). You were so happy you kept running over to me, dripping wet, and exclaiming, over and over “Mommy, this is so, so, SO fun!”
I love watching you play, and the shows you put on in the “little room” are so magical. You float about as your sing and dance (and Lucas follows you around) and you make sure we’re watching and clapping and you enthusiastically “shake your booty”. Every day there is something that makes me pause, so that I may firmly plant that memory in my mind.
And a couple of weeks after your birthday, as I sat next to you on the kitchen table and watched you read for the first time, I thought my heart would explode. I laughed through misty eyes as you carefully sounded out your words. And you didn’t let me record the moment, but I will never forget it: “Hmmmmm. Ahhhhhh. Ttttttt. Mat! Ssssss. Ahhhhh. Tttttt. Sat! Oohhh. Nnnnn. On! Ahh. A! Cuhhh. Ahhhh. Ttttt. Cat!” Each word gave you such thrill and made me burst at the seams!
So, as I sit here and write to you, so that we will never forget not even one moment, I am filled with hope that you will forever remain this amazing girl. Filled with love, and compassion. Tenderness and courage. With all your magic and joy. I hope that as the years go on by, you never forget to hug us and kiss us, and tell us how much you love us. And that you always remember all your hopes and dreams, and that you manage to one day have your hair as long as ‘Babunzel’, and continue to always be spontaneous and enjoy every moment of every day. That you continue to shine and shake your booty, and that you always take pride in all your accomplishments, whether big or small. So, remember that, because I know one day soon, I will blink and you will 14, and 24, and 34. But I will cherish every memory and every moment.
Happy 4th birthday, bunny girl.
