Paige my Darling, I have never loved you as much as I love you today. My love for you grows each day. Every morning when I wake to your sweet voice or your soft, chubby hands on my face, my heart somehow grows and I love you even more than the night before.
Last night during our date I asked Daddy, “what should we do for Paigey’s 1st birthday?” then I realized what I had said and immediately started crying. Your 1st birthday?! When did this happen? When did you grow so quickly? Daddy reminded me that we have 2 whole months left before you turn one, but in that moment all I wanted to do was hurry home to hold you and rock you and stare at your peaceful sleeping face and whisper in your ear, “please stay little.”
I realize growing is inevitable. So I guess what I really desire is not that you stay little, but that you stay innocent – don’t let the world tarnish you. Stay joyful – don’t let sadness keep you from seeing all that is good. Stay confident – don’t let comparison steal your beauty. Stay snuggly – don’t ever be too cool to snuggle your mama. Keep your wonder – don’t even get too busy to enjoy the little things.
Most of all, remember you are loved, you are cherished, you are a daughter of the King of kings and were created in His image.
