This is an emotional one, and for so many reasons.
Five years ago today, you made me a mother.
Even though you were so deeply anticipated, you were still a surprise. You arrived 6 days early, after a tumultuous 24 hours of labor (read more about Jordan’s birth story here),
It was April in Minnesota, and we had just gotten through an extremely cold and snowy winter, and we were waiting for our spring bird to arrive. You were born as planned at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital. On the day of your bris, 8 days later, it snowed one last time . . . as if to signal that a change in the weather was truly here forever.
It is hard for me to understand that five years have passed! These days, you are learning to ride a bicycle. You are speaking near-fluent Spanish. You are an expert cookie-baking helper, and you love your t-ball team and your swim lessons. You want to be outside soaking in the sunshine, all day every day.
You love in a way that is unbridled and overwhelming and lovely. You need all of us, all of the time, and you are both sweet and deeply sensitive. At the same time, you are fascinated by weapons and fighting and cars and guns. You are nobody’s stereotype. You are just uniquely you.
On the way to another friend’s fifth birthday party this year, you declared, “Mommy, everyone is turning five, and I’m not. I want to grow up too and faster so that I can take all the good jobs.”
Baby Steps
Well, kiddo, worrying about that sort of thing is pretty far off, but your determination is growing right along with you. I have no doubt that you will grow to take on many challenges and succeed. Although, marriage doesn’t currently make the list. Yesterday you told me that you don’t want to have kids, because that means you have to get married and you don’t want to kiss anyone.
Ah, my love. Truly, so many wonderful things await you. Happy, happy birthday!!