The Best Valentine’s Day Surprise
7 years ago today, on Valentine’s Day at 11:59AM, our family was completed with the birth of our daughter. My first child came quickly; we barely made it to the hospital. So naturally when I went into labor this time around we blew every light on Michigan Avenue to get to Northwestern in time. And then, 22 hours later, our girl made her arrival. You see, she was showing us her personality even then. The girl doesn’t do a darn thing until she’s good and ready.
Sweet she is, but oh so precocious. And she’s smart. Sometimes too smart. At first glance she seems quiet, shy. But just wait, before long she’ll be the loudest one in the room! Stubborn and feisty, but no one loves harder than she does. For as much as she asserts her independence, she’s the first one to come in for a hug or to ask for one more minute of snuggles at bedtime.
And its truly almost uncanny how well she already seems to know herself. I swear she has more self-awareness than I did in my 20’s! She knows when to move forward and when to hold back. When to ask for help and when to persevere. And the girl will beat you in any board game or card game you throw at her! I’ve never once had to “let her win”.
My favorite thing, is watching her with her brother. Night and day, those two, but still the best of friends and fiercely protective of one another. Somehow, even in the darkest of times, they’re able to insert so much love and joy into our lives.
My Birthday Girl
So as another year passes (jeez slow down, please?), and she grows taller and brighter and I get to know her even more I feel like I have this tiny glimpse into the future and the woman she will become. I know with utter certainty that she will accomplish anything she puts her mind to.
Last year, when she had her tonsils out, I shared all the lessons that the experience taught me. Truthfully, I am still learning from her every day. Learning to be silly, learning to listen, learning to be present and learning to be a better mom and a better person.
I really do feel like the luckiest person in the world to raising these two little people and I am so grateful for the love they give me every single day.
Happy birthday Valentine girl. -Mommy
