Dear A, At 9 months old, you were an athletic wonder. We called you a "speed crawler," but you could also stand and climb up and down steps. Before you turned one, you were running. Before two, you were climbing up the highest playgrounds as far as you could go. Now, at age 9, it […]
Dear O, Twelve is a year of change. Once a child, you now study the world around you from a young woman's perspective. You are a beauty, although you certainly don't realize it. Sammy Kershaw's country song comes to mind, "she don't know she's beautiful..." With your glossy blonde hair, piercing eyes, and ready smile, […]
This is a very short story about my wedding dress. Nineteen years ago today, I wore a simple sparkling crown and an ivory off-the-shoulder gown. As my ballet slippered feet walked up the aisle, I had absolutely no jitters or what-ifs. Even at age 19, I knew - confidently knew - that this boy was […]
Dear H, The nursery rhyme is wrong. Boys are made up of "everything nice" too. Sure, they love frogs and snails and puppy dog tails as much as little girls, but they are also sweet beyond measure. If we hadn't had you, I wouldn't have known that three-year-old boys are pure delight. Joy in fullness. […]
Dear A, Teachers and other adults typically comment on three things when they describe you. First, people say that you are "super sweet," "kind," and "caring." I concur. These attributes are evident in the ways that you treat others. You are selfless, choosing quietly to let others go first or to select the biggest scoop […]
Dear K, When you were five years old, Tim and I used to remark to each other that you were an adult in a child's body. You had a serious and perceptive way of viewing the world that didn't quite fit your small frame. Now that you are thirteen, you remain the same - responsible, […]