Untitled

Day 1022

Dear Lizzie,

Seven years ago today, I gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl. I instantly fell in love with you--the way you clenched your fists, puckered your nose, and sneezed when you cried. Your daddy fell instantly in love, too. We were so overwhelmed with your precious little body and your generous blue eyes--we had no idea what to do with such an itty bitty little baby. We had big dreams for you, though, on that  icy early morning in January. We still do.

Today, you are All Seven. As a first grader, you read with tenacity and you tackle math problems as if they were your little brother. You love to draw, paint, write in your journal, send letters, play with your doll's hair, and jam the keys of the piano every time you run past. You love your Lambie something fierce. And you swim like a fish, although you'd rather play like a porpoise. It amazes me how girlie you can be--with your pearl earrings and necklace, rhinestone studded shirts, and glittery skirts and slippers. But you also roll in the dirt and rip worms apart with your bare hands with the neighbor boys. In your dress. You are becoming quite the movie officianado, with your crush on Luke Skywalker and your desire to meet Asland in Narnia. I don't know how you do it, but you always manage to entice Phin with your Barbie movies. Poor guy. You are already on your third hamster. And then there's this compassion, empathy, social grace that you have. I really don't know where you get it, since your daddy and I are such hard asses sometimes. But you are there to comfort, to wipe a tear, and to share your last bite of your favorite cookie (vanilla wafers) with Phin or some other unfortunate soul. You have told me that when you grow up, you want to be a surfer and live in Malibu. And maybe have a ranch in Wyoming and train wild horses. Sometimes I catch you playing teacher and my heart melts. And I think, I Pray, that I am being a good role model for you. I admire how you make instant friends of all ages, shapes, and colors wherever you go. How you make them is even more impressive--your interviews about religion, for example, during the holidays. You would ask any stranger, Are you Christian or Jewish? And depending on the answer you would follow up with, Is your tree decorated? Are you lighting candles on the menorah? The first time you asked someone those questions, I held my breath. I just didn't know where you were going to go with them. Speaking of, you have a deep curiosity for God, Santa, and the Tooth Fairy--really, anything spiritual and all things magical. And what do I always tell you when you ask if they are real? Lead with your heart and they will always be real. And then you bust out a Tae Kwon Do move, just to keep me from taking myself too seriously.

Elizabeth Rowan, there isn't a little girl anywhere in this world who is loved as much as Daddy and I love you. I am amazed at who you are and can't wait to see who and what you become. Happy birthday, Baby Girl!

Always,

Mommy and Daddy