5th birthday letter

Dear Elizabeth,

When you were about to turn 1 year old, I decided I would write you a letter for each of your birthdays, so some day you could go back and read about what you were like at that age, and be reminded of how much I’ve always loved you. I can’t believe it’s already time to sit down and write Version 5 of the birthday letters, but it’s true – your 5th birthday is only 2 days away.

This year has been such a wonderful year with you. You’re about to graduate from preschool, and are so excited to be signed up to start kindergarten in August. In fact, you were so disappointed that you couldn’t start the day we signed you up! Your only consolation was the knowledge that your cousin Brooke had to wait to start kindergarten too. (Yes, you’ve inherited our family’s competitive gene as well.) I, on the other hand, find it very bittersweet to think of that day rapidly approaching. I know you will run into the school, excited about all the possibilities, while I will wave goodbye and try not to cry, wondering how my baby girl could be so big and grown up already.

But, in fact, there is very little about you that is “babyish” anymore. Of all your baby talk, the only word that you still use is “butcept” (instead of except), and I can’t bear to tell you the real word, because then all of your baby ways will be completely gone.

Sometimes, I find it hard to believe that you are my daughter. I was always such a shy child, while you’re eager to go to the park and play with any new friend you meet that day. I was a tomboy, while you are such a girly-girl. In fact, you are now giving me fashion advice, and even making sure my shoes and necklaces match my outfits before I leave the house. For you, the highlight of turning 5 has been getting your ears pierced and showing off your new sparkly pink earrings, while I still have yet to get my ears pierced, even as an adult. But, even with those differences, we are still very alike in other ways. I still refer to you as my “mini-me,” because there is such an unmistakable family resemblance. You even got your hair cut like mine earlier this year, because you wanted to be “just like Mommy.” And, we both love to read, sing, act goofy, and just spend time with each other. I’m pleased to know that I’m still your favorite playmate, and try to cherish the time we spend together, because I know your opinion of me may change drastically in just a few short years. I still have to be away from you more than I want to because of work, but I hope you will remember the many fun times we have together - shopping trips, makeovers, cooking, games, etc. – instead of the times I was away.

This year, your empathy and compassion have grown even more than your physical stature. You have learned how to relate to other people, and your sensitive nature shines through in your relationships. You have cried the hardest this year on the few occasions when you realized you had unintentionally hurt someone else’s feelings. I am so proud of you for already having learned the lesson that your words and actions can cause great joy or great sorrow, and your sweet nature makes you strive to bring joy to those around you.

It has also brought me great joy this year to watch you learn more about Jesus Christ – and fall in love with him. You have openly invited him to live in your heart, and at any time during the day, you will ask us to stop and pray with you. I know God smiles at your sweet prayers just as much as I do. Every day, you remind me of God’s miracles all around us. And the excitement you experience as you learn about Jesus is a good reminder to me of the excitement I need to have for our Savior as well. Even before you were born, your father and I were praying that you would love Jesus. And it is so exciting for us to be able to witness that prayer being answered.

You are my precious baby girl. (And I’m the only one you still let call you that. To everyone else, you are a BIG girl…) I love you so much. Thank you for letting me see the world through your eyes, and making me a better person because of it.

Happy Birthday, Libby Lou. I love you!

Mommy