Sweet Vivianne is 1!

Today is my baby’s first birthday. I write this for her but I share it with all of you for a very specific reason. I hope it inspires you all to write. Write to your children. Write to your significant other. Write to yourself. Just write.

My sweet little Vivianne,

I didn’t even know what I was missing until I met you. You’re the best parts of me, but even better. You’re a gentle soul. You’re sweet and you’re already scrappy. You’re my last baby and my best girl. Your existence completed mine.

I didn’t think I’d ever have a girl. I really didn’t. I absolutely loved our family before you and God decided that we were the right fit for you. Now I can’t even describe how much better we all are because of you.

Your brothers adore you- you keep them gentle. And you created a fierce protectiveness in them that I didn’t realize existed. One of your first words was “sister” - because you are their little “sister-girl” and they call to you all the time. They hug you, fight over you, sneak you into their room when they are supposed to be sleeping because they just want to spend a little bit more time with you.

You love your grandparents. Snacking with Grammy Hall, loving on Grams, pulling papas beard, and playing toys at Mimi’s.

Things I never want to forget: your soft little hands, your sweet smelling hair, and the way you run to me. Your love of vanilla yogurt and the little sounds you make while eating it. The way you melt into your daddy or me when we dance with you. The way you wake up in the morning (smack your lips, sigh contentedly, and smile). The way you stop everything when I ask if you want to nurse. Your sweet and clumsy little wave. The way you run to daddy when you’re sad. You’re the happiest baby I have ever seen. The crazy grin when you accomplish something new. And the funny little obsession you have with wearing aprons.

I can’t accurately explain how blessed and thankful I am that you chose me to be your momma.  Even though I didn’t expect to have you, I have had a lifetime of planning for us. I can’t wait to do everything together. When I found out you were on your way I immediately pictured us planning for proms, college, vacations, a wedding- the nurse laughed at me. But I was so excited I couldn’t stop!

I hope that you always know that I will always love you. There is nothing that can change that. I will always listen- to heartbreak and disappointments, to successes and plans and dreams. I am, and will always be, your biggest fan. May you see the world and have the ability to see beauty in even the ugliest of situations. May you understand that beauty is deeper than skin. May you know the value of the written word. May you know that love is more than a word. And may you know that you are enough.

Happy birthday sister girl.

I love you. Always.

-Momma