Monday, October 1, 2012

18....A Birthday Letter to My Daughter

Today my daughter turns eighteen. I just can't believe that 18 years have flown by so fast or that my beautiful little girl has turned into a beautiful young adult.  Excuse me while I wipe my tears away!

Today I share with you some pictures from the past and a letter to my daughter.
 
Dear Shel,
 Happy 18th Birthday. I can't even believe I'm saying that. It seems like just yesterday that I brought you home from the hospital.  I was just a  year older than you are now and I had no idea how to be a Mom, but I knew I loved you more than anything in this world, I still do, and always will. I am so thankful to God for you and the opportunity to be your Mom.

 
You have a smile that can light up a room. 
 
  
You are smart. Like super smart.  I know you aren't sure what you want to do with your life yet, but I have no doubts that you can do anything you set your mind to. God has great plans for you! I will never forget how in fourth grade you received the reading award and your teacher said she was giving the award to a student who read above a twelfth grade level. The crowd "oood" and "awed'' and I wanted to stand up and yell, "Yep that's my daughter!!!" :)  I didn't of course, because you would have never spoken to me again, but that is the kind of pride I feel about you all the time. For big things, for little things...all the time.
 
You have a beautiful heart.  In first grade your teacher said you were a "protector of the underdog." It broke your heart to see people treated unfair, or unkind.  When you were in third grade you told me you wanted to give all your birthday gifts to poor kids. We decided that you would just request donations to the food bank instead of gifts. You did that for several more years. You invited one child to a birthday party and later his mother told me that was the only birthday party he had ever been invited to. The list doesn't end there, I could think of hundreds of other ways you have shown your beautiful heart. 
 
You are beautiful, inside and out. You are an amazing person.  Being your mother is the greatest privilege I have ever had. I love you so much.
Happy 18th Birthday!
Love,
Mom
 
I'll be back in a few days with party pictures and if you hadn't already guessed we had a Wonderland Tea Party! It turned out great and we did birthday celebrating all weekend! :)

11 comments:

  1. Awe, that made me tear up! You both are so blessed to have one another!

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    1. Thanks friend! Yes, we are really blessed, as are you and your beautiful girl. Enjoy your time together, it goes by wayyyyy to fast!

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  2. Happy Birthday, Shel!

    {And I still can't believe that you have an 18 year old!!}

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    1. Thanks Holly! :) It was a good birthday! (And I still love love love you, you are a great ego booster friend) :)

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  3. Can't wait to see the pictures! Happy birthday Shel!

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    1. Thank you! :) I should have the pictures up later today! Hope you can check them out! :)

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  4. I can't believe it's been 18 years, either! She's a wonderful girl and fabulous granddaughter! I sure do love her (and her mom)!!

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    1. Awwww thanks Mom. :) We both love you lots too! Thanks for being a fabulous Mom and Mamaw. :) And yes, 18 years...it still doesn't seem possible!

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  5. Great letter and you've been a great mom! Something for her to cherish forever. Seems like just yesterday we were having pizza delivered to the hospital, while we hung out waiting for Shelby to make an appearance!

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    1. Awwww thank you Kim! That means so much to me. Yes, it does just seem like yesterday, even though I didn't get any pizza that night! Lol I am so blessed to have great friends like you that have been by my side for every important event. Thank you friend. :)

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