Happy, happy birthday to my 25 year old!

Dear Ev'Yan,

Just writing the blog post title almost made me cry tears of joy! You are 25 years old! I feel like just yesterday you were a little girl. In honor of your birthday, I want to share a letter to you that I wrote in your journal when you were 4 years old.

"My beautiful little girl, you're so full of wisdom and questions and yet at times, you talk as if you've walked on this earth before. You're growing up to be a little lady. You love play makeup and fingernail polish. You still have a constant desire to wear a dress. It can be 30 degrees below zero and you will put on a dress. You are now accepting my "no's" with just a poked out lip. You are very independent and very helpful and sensitive. You cry very easily. You hate cleaning your room. You love waffles for breakfast and your favorite candy bar is a Butterfinger. You have a heart for homeless people. The other day, you gave all of your money to the Salvation Army bell ringer. You told me that you wished you had some more to give."

As I read through the many memories, I realized just how much of a gift you are to me. You are still sensitive with a heart of gold. I have gotten better about killing bugs because you have reminded me that it's better to catch and release. You have taught me to be myself and embrace who I am...an original. You are so good at telling me that "it's okay" which reminds me of how always in my corner you have been and still are.

I wouldn't have gotten through some of the tough stuff the last few months if I hadn't had your love and willingness to make sure I was okay. I appreciated the times we have shared just talking openly and honestly about things I can't imagine talking about with my own mother. I love that we have that special kind of relationship.

I hope that your birthday is the beginning of so many wonderful adventures and surprises along the way.  I am proud of you. You are beautiful and wise and loving and hilarious too.

Always know that you are loved more and more by me, every day! Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mommy