Fourteen years ago today we welcomed a tiny daughter into our lives. I had spent months dreaming of this moment. I would often sit in the rocking chair in the nursery we had decorated and imagine what it would be like to hold her in my arms. Even so, I was completely unprepared for the waves of love that washed over me as I held her on my chest, and she gazed up at me with her wide-open eyes. It was like nothing I had ever experienced. I wondered why no one had tried to tell me just how wonderful this moment would be. Eventually I realized that it would have been impossible.
Today that baby girl that we struggled to dress at the hospital stands at the exact same height as I do. We share the same shoe size. She knows far more than I do about many subjects, particularly anything related to technology and music. I marvel at the changes in her over the past fourteen years, feeling at the same time a curious mixture of joy, pride, and sadness. We are happy for the growth and maturity that we have witnessed in our daughter over the past year, but are also a bit wistful at times for that little girl with blond curls who climbed into our laps for a hug, and who prayed each night before she went to sleep, "Thank you for Mommy and Daddy. I love them so much." We love you too, Katie, and we look forward to what the next year will bring for you.
You can read more about our first-born here.
What a beautiful girl! Happy Birthday sweet Katie!!!
Posted by: Aunt Marion | 12/06/2012 at 11:57 AM
Happy Birthday Katie! You have grown into such a beautiful young lady.
Posted by: Nikki | 12/06/2012 at 01:36 PM
Katie-I can't believe you are already grown up- and such a pretty young lady you are!
Have a wonderful birthday!
Love,A.Janet and U.Bob
Posted by: janetjames | 12/07/2012 at 04:49 AM
So sweet. I feel honored that I've known her ALMOST her whole life! I remember those curls!
Happy Birthday, Katie!
Posted by: Shanda | 12/12/2012 at 06:35 AM