Tomorrow, January 8th, marks a very important day. It is my oldest daughter’s birthday. It is a day that is filled with great celebration but also silent tears. She has gone from a perfect little baby that I cradled in my arms to a vibrant and happy little girl who once ran free in a meadow filled with wild flowers without a single care in the world. She turned into a teenager inching her way to independence. I admire and adore the young lady who is now making her own way in this world.

As she turns 17 years old, my wish is for her to always know, without a shadow of a doubt, how much I truly love her and will do everything within my power for her.

We have been through so much together in the last 17 years. As she faced heart break, I was there to mend her broken heart. When she faced difficulties, I helped her triumph over them. When she found such joy and happiness, my heart smiled as I shared in her excitement. As she excelled, I danced with her in celebration of her great accomplishments.

From every “first” milestone, to preschool graduation, to dance recitals, volleyball games, getting her driver’s license, and now preparing for her first prom … I have had the privilege and honor to be with her every step of the way. I am so very thankful to God for the blessing of all of these moments shared with my first born. I pray that God will continue to allow me the blessing of being present in her life for her upcoming graduation next year, to when she graduates from college, to when she marries the love of her life, to when she has a baby of her own … I pray that I will be here to witness and share all of these precious moments and MORE in her life.

This precious little bundle of joy entered the world on January 8th, sharing her birthday with Elvis Presley. Just as he is known as “The King of Rock-N-Roll,” she is “The Queen of My Heart!”

This little baby changed my whole entire world. She gave my life meaning and purpose. I never knew such love existed until I felt this little one kick for the first time inside of me. Then when I held her in my arms, I knew I would move Heaven and Earth to keep her safe from all harm, to shelter her and protect her, to love her unconditionally for all time.

Now, we joke about who loves the other more. She makes my heart sing as she tries to beat me when I say, “I love you to the moon and stars,” and she replies with, “I love you all the way to God’s house in Heaven.” I can no longer contain this happiness inside of me, and it shows on my face. I smile from ear to ear when my teenager daughter says this to me.

Oh how much she has grown! She was my little princess who loved dressing up in my clothes, twirling around in my dresses while wearing my high heel shoes, makeup and jewelry. Then she grew into a teenager who was too cool for her mother. My heart broke at that moment when she left me standing in the hallway at school in her Freshman year. Thankfully she has outgrown being ashamed of being seen with her mother, and now will even skip happily arm in arm with me laughing the entire way.

We are so close, and I pray that we will always be this close and share this bond together.

On her 17th birthday, I am filled with sadness with her childhood slowly slipping away, yet I’m filled with such pride and joy for the beautiful young woman that she has become.

Happy birthday, my precious one.

I love you,
Always & Forever

~Mama