Five Years Old!

My Maelie,

I sat down to write this letter last night, and I couldn’t help but feel a little sad that it was your last night of being four. I gave you one more kiss on your forehead as you drifted to sleep, and I felt that pinch in my heart.

It’s going so, so fast and I guess I just wish I could hold you a little longer. 

Oh, you’ve been counting down to the big five years old for months, and I know you’re so excited. More than anything, we want to celebrate your big day with you.

Because YOU’RE FIVE!!! 😀

I see more glimpses each day of you growing up, becoming more independent and a little less needy for your mommy, but you still melt my heart when you climb into my lap for a cuddle and tell me you love me. I hope those moments never end.

I love you so much. So, so much. And I tell you that often and multiple times a day because I want you to know that it’s true. Every single day, more each day than the one before.

We’ve had a year. It’s hard to say it was a good year, but I don’t want to say it was a bad year, either.

It was still a precious year because I got to spend it with you, my beautiful daughter.

Our family has walked some hard days and weeks and months…and you walked it right along with us. You saw the tears and you cried some of your own, too. Your little heart and mind took time to process losing your little sister and knowing you would have to wait for heaven to play with her. The tears flowed the day you hugged Andre goodbye and we came home without him.

You’ve seen some hard days, and I wish those hadn’t been part of your four year-old life. They’re so much for a little one to handle, but you showed us just how strong you could be.

Your daddy and I…we found strength in the joy you brought to us. And we found lots of reasons to smile and laugh, too.

There were adventures and car trips and new places to explore. You loved riding the train and subway in New York and a visit to, possibly, the most famous toy store in the world. (Mommy liked that trip, too!)

We made new friends and played new games, and you flew through your second and final year of Preschool.

And…you came out a READER!

Goodness, my girl, you blow me away with how far you’ve come…and we’re just beginning the journey.

You’ve kept us laughing (and still do!) with your witty, intelligent, hilarious take on life. You never miss an opportunity to tell a good story which makes us think you might just be a writer someday like your mama. Or, who knows? You’re a lot like your daddy, too. It will be fun to see what God does and continues to do with you. Remember to always keep your heart open to Him…you are His child, and He has great plans for you!

It’s true that sometimes you and I, we have hard days.

But I also know that this has been the best five years of my life, these years of being your mommy. I wouldn’t trade a single moment of it for anything.

You are loved, you are beautiful, and the world is waiting for five year-old YOU!

Get out there and change it.

But, first, eat some cake and CELEBRATE! 😉

I love you more than you will ever know…and God loves you EVEN MORE.

Happy 5th Birthday, my Maelie girl!

Love you forever,
Mommy