Emma,
Some day I will write down your very own Story of The Day You Were Born and you will carry on a tradition started by my own mom. Some day you will sit long enough to listen to me talk about the greatest day of my life (and you will likely use that against your brother because his birth day was one of pain and terror, and I will have to remind you that he never had to be hauled out of a grocery store).
But today, you are 4.
And your favorite thing in the world is to see for yourself. Everything. And all of it. You wanna see. I know.
So, look and see, baby.
See how brave you are getting? You are learning to not be afraid of things that used to terrify you.
See how beautiful you are? No, not pretty. I know we would hate to think someone dared to call you pretty. But you emanate a beauty that is full of strength and lightness all at the same time, whether you like it or know it just yet.
See how silly you are? You look at the world and laugh. You make the world a place to laugh in with your wild and carefree spirit.
See how loved you are? Always know that, baby. Always know that you are surrounded by love. You are so easy to love and deserving of it.
See how happy you are? Your joy is a gift, my love. One I have only seen matched in a handful of people in my lifetime.
See how independent you are? It is a rare thing to know your own mind as clearly as you do, especially at such a young age. I’m doing everything I can to protect that natural instinct in you.
I am so proud and in awe of who you are and who you are becoming, Emma. You are so much mine and your father’s daughter and Devin’s sister and yet at the same time all your very own. And I like you. I really, like you. Not just because you’re my child, but because you’re the kind of person I love to be around.
(Except for when you do that whiny thing, but I’m really, really trying to get used to the fact that you are so. not. a morning person. But after about 7:45 am, you’re golden, Pony Boy. I’ll explain that reference to you later.)
Anyway.
See, Emma Mary?
You’re perfect.
Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!
Love,
Mom
Emma’s birth story:
“One day, you came out of my front butt. The end.”
Happy birthday, Emma!
Oh Britt, you really got me with that last photo (sniffle). What a beautiful tribute to your daughter. Happy Birthday Emma!!
Britt – I love it, all of it. The words, the pictures the love. Absolutely beautiful and gorgeous and EXACTLY.
The ocean picture was my favorite until I got to the picture of the two of you and it spoke to me, hell woman, it screamed at me. Volumes of love, that love that only a mother and daughter know.
This post is a treasure, a beautiful amazing gift. Thank you for sharing it with us.
She is adorable!
Happy Birthday Emma!
The front butt post had me laughing, but the post about your lesson in underwear was the best:)
Happy Birthday Emma! I hope you have an awesome day!
I love your kids. I see why Miss Becky never wants to leave.
Happy birthday Emma!
[...] Today you are four years old and as I write these words, I shake my head and smile. Your mommy wonders how time could have gone by so fast, but for me, it seems like a lifetime ago. I can’t even imagine a world without you in it, or what my life was like without you. [...]
Ah honey. Sigh. how wonderful. What a treasured day.
“And I like you. I really, like you.”
That right there says so much about her and about you.
Happy Birthday Emma.
What a beautiful little girl. Happy Birthday dear Emma. XXX
Happy birthday, Emma!
The second and last photos are fabulous.
The four club expands state side. Lovely post, and pictures, loving the beach photo. And, btw, Emma is like one of my favourite girls’ names. My sister carries the same moniker.
Aw, your post is so sweet, but Avitable’s comment made me almost spit my drink.
Happy birthday to Emma! (I just realized she is only a few months older than my nephew.)
Absolutely beautiful! Happy Birthday Emma!
Happy Birthday, Emma. You are turning into quite the little lady.
DANGIT! Ahmoo stole my comment. Really.
No really.
this is almost enough to make me rethink the not having kids thing. almost.
happy, happy birthday, dear emma. as your nana said on her little slice of the internet, RULE THE WORLD! (i’ve got your back!)
Awww – she really IS beautiful!
Thanks for sharing.
*SNIFF* *SNIFF*
Happy Birthday Emma!!!! Have a lovely day and stay the sweet little girl that you are.
T.U.A.-My son’s 7th birthday is tomorrow. Then my daughter’s 10th is Sunday. We scrimped and are going to Universal on Saturday……
That’s great, love it. And I.Love.The.Outsiders. Might have to watch it now, since I’m having a snow day!
Happy Birthday, Emma. I hope I get to meet you one day.
P.S. – I’m not a morning person either. It’s OK not to be. But I found it’s best just not to speak at all.
P.S.S – Happy Birth Day, Mom. xo
gah. she’s awesome.
happy birthday!
and that last picture??? KILLS me.
People who are not morning people are brilliant, awesome and destined for greatness. That’s all I’m saying.
Oh, and that I really like your daughter, too.
Perfection.
4 years old is the BEST age so far.
Just beautiful . . . I love the pic on the beach. What a wonderful tribute to your daughter.
i was going to post something, but i read avitable’s comment an laughed s’damn hard i…
wait! i remember.
that picture of her on the beach is beautiful. breathtaking.
happy birthday, emma.
Happy Birthday Emma!! Thanks for riding in my car to the restaurant and keeping us entertained!! We had a great time!
Happy Birthday, Emma. You’re the most beautiful four year old girl ever.
That last picture? It’s almost like you want to inhale her whole being…to keep her little and perfect and intact as your baby girl. She will always be your baby girl, you know..no matter her age. The fact that you like her because of HER, not just because she is your daughter, speaks volumes.
Happy Birthday, Miss Emma!
P.S. Adam’s comment made me snort.
Oh and? Not a morning person, either. At all. I get it Emma, I get it.
Beautiful indeed. Happy birthday, Emma. The world is a better place with you in it.
Happy Birthday Emma!
Cool post. And a nice sweet ending. Happy Birthday Emma
I’m hiring you to write my letter when my daughter turns 4. haha
Hope Emma had a great birthday!
Happy Birthday dear Emma! You are a vision to behold…may you have many more wonderful birthdays!!!
You are a total butt for posting great material that makes me tear up at 8 o’clock in the effing morning.
This is really touching. I love it very much. Your daughter really truly exudes that spirit I can almost feel from reading this, just from her photos. GREAT photography, too btw!
Just read this and LOVE! I miss Emma, and Jay talks about her like every other day
Happy birthday, Emma!