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My Precious Lorelai Elizabeth,

In five days you are turning one-year old and I can hardly believe it. They said this past year would go by fast and they were right. It’s amazing how time went from crawling when you were growing in my tummy to flying by once you were in my arms. They said to cherish it… soak in every second, and I have. We have shared (almost) every moment together and I have witnessed all of your “firsts.” It has been a holy and magical season of life. In fact, it’s a good thing I’m not trying to say these words out loud to you right now because I’m too choked up to speak.

Sweet girl, you are the greatest blessing that God has ever given me. The gift of your life literally leaves me breathless. I’ve never experienced such a swelling of love, such a wonder at life, or such a piece of heaven on earth. God may be the reason I get up in the morning, but you are the reason I smile so brightly. You are the twinkle in my eyes. And you magnify the joy in my heart. I could not possibly be more delighted to be your mommy or more proud to call you my little girl.

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I know there is so much between us that you can’t understand yet, but I suspect you perceive way more than I realize. I hope you will be able to look back on your early years of life and know you have always been fiercely loved. That your mommy is on your side. That nothing and no one can displace you in my heart. I take one look at your innocent big blue eyes and your silky blonde hair and your carefree dimpled grin, and I understand in a second why God wanted to be a Father. I’m overwhelmed with the revelation of sacrificial love now that I have you. Oh, the lessons I’ve learned about God from you, little angel.

We have a lot of life to face together in the future and I realize all the moments may not be so easy or beautiful. I know you will become more and more separate from me. More and more… you. As a mommy, I could grieve it, but I choose to celebrate instead. I welcome the chapters that lie before us because I can see so clearly that you are a child of God and His plan is to mold you into a remarkable woman. You will touch and change this world, sweet Lorelai, and you will fulfill His plans. I know that parts of the process will be painful for both of us. There will be a lot of things I can’t protect you from, but I can enter into the pain with you and stay by your side even when we’re hurting each other. I’m telling you right now, baby girl, that I believe in you completely. There is nothing that will ever change that. You can’t let me down. You can’t make me stop loving you. I think you are magnificent and miraculous.

So as the page turns and you become one, know that our lives are brighter, our hearts are lighter, and our days are fuller because of you. May the Lord bless you and keep you, precious one.

All my love and then some,

Momma

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