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Year of 5

Maddy,

I have watched you embrace many milestones along this journey so far. From learning to walk to saying your first words; to identifying letters and numbers to writing them out; your thirst for independence and knowledge has done nothing short of amaze me. And here we are on the brink of yet another milestone, history in the making: Turning five.

I am trying to remain strong, I am trying to be about this moment, but in all honesty, it’s a lot more difficult than I want to admit. Of course, that’s nothing new to your over-emotional mom. Turning five is a monumental milestone because this is where the tide changes a bit in your life. You will be starting kindergarten in a few weeks and for the next twelve years, school events, programs, sports, and friends will take over the moments we have shared together since your birth. You will want less to do with Papa and I and more to do with those you meet at school, with your extracurricular activities. You will develop a life outside of us that will change you and influence you in more ways than us. You will be influenced by the world around you in more ways than one and although it will be enriching and everything we could give you and more, it is hard for me to let go of the little girl I have raised.

For me, as I embrace and understand that change has to happen and that you have to grow up, know it is not easy to let go of the last four years of hoping and praying I did the very best to be your mom and guide you to make good choices, envelope everyone in your kindness and love, and have instilled in you the morals and values I hope you will take with you into kindergarten have helped you understand how people are not always going to be kind or receptive of you the same way that mom and Papa are. I have battled with you, unfairly defeated in tears because you are too much like me. I have watched you nurture and care for your brother and watched a beautiful bond between the two of you blossom, and I hope, continues to grow. I have watched you encapsulate an imagination in your play. I have watched you question and wonder the world around you, endlessly. I have watched as books have become your go-to world to understand and know more. I am amazed at the little girl you are, the independent quiet force and leader that you convey in your strong will and sweet demeanor. I have watched you grow more into a young lady and can envision the beautiful person you will end up becoming.    

As we prepare for this Year of 5, I want you to still cling to being a child, innocent, loving, and kind. I want you to always have a hunger, deep and true, to education. Never give up on wanting to learn more, be more. I hope that you keep that strong will and harness that attitude into standing up for yourself, your beliefs, your family and friends, and know that we have your back. Always. I want you to always dream and avoid saying “I can’t” because you definitely can.  I hope you roll slowly with the tide into six, and don’t want to rush the journey, because I know all too well it will go by too fast, as it already has.


Happy Birthday! We love you. 





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