You, my love, are five years old today.
Five – I can hardly wrap my mind around that.
I feel like we somehow skipped year four.
Has it really been a year since you rode horses with Jess?
A whole year of preschool behind you, Kindergarten now looms ahead.
I worry about you. (Needlessly, but still…I worry.)
Assertive and talkative at home, you hold back when you are out.
You know what you want and you are certain to go after it.
But you do it quietly, discreetly.
When you think no one is looking, you chat with your friends…
Using your vivid imagination, you lead your peers into a Utopian play world.
One glance from an adult, however, leaves you quiet and reserved.
You appear unsure, but you aren’t.
You are taking it all in.
Absorbing everything around you
And analyzing it over and over and over again.
(I know because I have a habit of doing the same thing.)
But you can also be tough and stubborn and unstoppable.
(I know this, too. I see it every.single.day.)
You dive right in and keep the boys in line.
You don’t hesitate to tell me when I’m wrong (or when you think I’m wrong).
You are kind and loving and caring, always wanting to help the littles.
You feel every thing so deeply, love so fiercely.
You are unapologetically you.
And I love that about you.
(And maybe even envy you a bit.)
Keep it up, my big girl.
Keep on being you.
Because you?
You are amazing.
And I love you.
Happy birthday, love.