A Letter To My Daughter On Her 4th Birthday
Denise Vasi
My Dearest Lennox Mae,
Happy 4th Birthday, Princess!! I wish I could bottle you up and keep you little forever.
I can’t believe it’s been four years since I first held you in my arms. The minute you came into this world, it was incredibly clear that you were a beautiful force to reckoned with– two tiny hands clenched into fists thrown up in the air, big marble watching eyes and perky ears that listened to everything around you. Till this day, that is precisely who you are.
I am so very grateful to have watched you blossom into such a loving, intelligent, strong, determined, empathetic, feisty, funny little girl. You walk into a room and instantly grab everyone’s attention with your bubbly personality and charismatic sly smile. You always know what’s going on — you literally never miss a beat! You’ve got it, and you own it and that my dear is what I love most about you.
In the last four years, I’ve learned to be more me than I ever was before and I have you to thank for that. You’ve shown me the gratification in caring for someone more than I care for myself. You’ve inspired me to find humor in the most aggravating moments. You’ve pushed me to find and practice patience. You’ve made me find strength on the days when I thought I was too weak. You’ve even forced me to be more courageous (Yup! I almost got bitten by a poisonous spider because you cheered “You can do it, Mama!).
My heart echoes your name all day, and it is because of you that my heart dances. Waking up to your bedhead and groggy “Good Morning, mama!” makes me feel like I’m the luckiest person alive. And even though sometimes it’s the most stressful time, because I’m always nervous I’m going to be late, picking you up from school is still the most exciting part of my day. You know how you feel when you see a rainbow? That’s exactly how I feel when I see you!
You’re my rainbow, Lennox Mae and my very best friend.
Every birthday feels like the most emotional one of all but this year feels especially emotional as it’s our last birthday just you and me (and daddy of course but you know what I mean.). By this time next year, you’ll be well into big sisterhood. Your excitement for your new little sibling (AKA baby dolphin) is the sweetest thing ever. The way you’ll let me enter the house first so “baby dolphin doesn’t get cold” and the way you check in… “how is baby dolphin feeling, mama?” makes me melt. You truly are the sweetest and most caring soul I know. And even though I know, there will be new challenges and new feelings once “baby dolphin” arrives, I also know that being a big sister is something you will succeed tremendously at.
This year my birthday wish for you, my love, is that you’re forever able to acknowledge how special you are. I hope you always feel confident enough to be you! That you never stop owning your power and that you keep dancing to the rhythm of your own beat. And I promise always to keep reminding you if you ever forget.
I love you, Lennox Mae. Thank you a million times over for picking me to be your mama! Life just wouldn’t be as bright if it weren’t for you.
Now let’s celebrate!!!!!!!
