Dear Mykenzi: Happy Birthday

Well, it's here.  The day I begged not to show up so soon, but it didn't listen.  Here it is, your Birthday.  Today, I have loved you 365 days, 8,760 hours, and 525,600 minutes.  The sweetest days, hours, and minutes of my life, all because of you.

This was our first picture together.  You were just hours new with quite the eventful entrance into this world.  There I sat, marveled at meeting you for the first time.  You spent the previous 39 weeks tucked safely in my belly.  This was the moment I had dreamed about since I first found out you existed.  The moment I had waited 9 long months for, 10 if you want to get technical. You were beautiful.  The prettiest baby I had ever laid eyes on, and you were mine. 

I chuckle when I see this picture.  Not because anything is humorous but because the girl in this picture has no idea what's in store for her.  She stares sweetly at her newborn, unsure of how she's going to care for her, unsure of herself, and unsure of life at that moment.  I chuckle because I wish I could go back and tell that girl that everything would be alright.  You will figure out how to care for that little life.  It may seem challenging at times, but you'll always give your best to that sweet girl.  I would tell her that nothing will compare to the overwhelming amount of love that little girl will bring her, and that her new life will be the best life she has ever known.

When I look at you now, I can't imagine life without you.  You have made the last year the most amazing of my life.  Your smile is infectious, your laugh is music to my ears, and when you clench tight and nestle your face into my neck my heart could burst.  Being your Mom is the best job in the world, I look forward to holding this position for many years to come.

So, my darling Mykenzi, today we celebrate you.  We celebrate the joy you have brought to our lives. We celebrate love, and we celebrate our family.  Happy Birthday Baby Girl!  Thank you for making our lives so special.