You are the one who paves the way.

You’re the first one they let us leave the hospital with.

The one who officially made us parents.

The first to toddle across floors, run in circles, always giggling with glee (the self-proclaimed “laugh gallery”).

… and now, you are 6.

Not that anyone’s counting but that is 1/3rd of the way to 18, which is frankly, unacceptable.

They say that each year as your kid gets older, you don’t have time to miss who they used to be… because they’re already someone else right in front of your eyes!  A new version waiting to be unlocked, with more to learn, more to see, more to grow.  Before long you’ve blinked and they went from rolling over to boarding the bus to kindergarten all by themselves.

I miss the versions of you who padded across the new floor we put in downstairs. And the one who stomped in rain boots and twirled while saying “happy bird-day.”

But I am so excited for the next year and another version of you.

You are stardust and magic and kindness all wrapped in one sassy, growing package.

And I’m so grateful you’re ours, Reese Adaline.  You my girl, are a gift.

 

Plus, if you want to join me in getting a little teary, don’t miss this reel I made for her birthday!

 

Xo!