The last bleary-eyed new parents picture. |
Listening to
these songs again invoked a wave of sentiment I didn’t expect. Of all the milestones we’ve crossed so far, the
one we’re crossing now seems to be the most bittersweet. Our littlest girl turns one tomorrow and
there are no more babies on the horizon for us.
We are beautifully complete as a family.
I am thrilled to be watching my children grow up, arm in arm with my
dearest and most beloved best friend (who also looks pretty hot with a little
facial hair). I am excited for this next
season of our lives, as our children become independent and our dreams have shifted
and formed into our reality. But I also
feel the season of “young married life” slipping away: the falling in love, and
getting married season; the getting to know your in-laws, and deciding who
sleeps closest to the door season; the who is going to change that stinky
diaper season; the what will our children be like season.
Every season
of my life has had its high points, I have always found joy in the days as they
go by, but this last decade-plus has been a treasure like none before. I loved every minute, beautiful and ugly. While childhood, high school, and even
college came to an end for me with some relief, our early married life comes to
an end with nostalgia and a little bit of longing. There are many treasured moments still ahead
for us, but for the first time in my life, I feel that something is passing
away that I will miss and never get back.
Such a grown up girl already! |
But, thanks
in part to Hootie and the Cranberries, a large collection of photographs, and
the best souvenirs ever – three darling little girls and the aforementioned
husband – I’ll bid this season farewell knowing that the love and joy it
brought can still be savored and recalled – like a sweet love letter, bottled
up and waiting to be reread.
Happy
birthday to my baby girl.
Everything on earth has its own time and its
own season. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Happy, Happy Birthday to our sweet Estelle!!! We love her, and you so much!
ReplyDeleteI'm tearing up at the thought of you listening to Hootie, and because I'm glad you've got such great memories to look back on, and because of how you mentioned your husband's facial hair.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, I know how you are about Hootie and facial hair, Anonymous. And that sweet little girlie is looking forward to reenacting the first taste of Birthday cake for you next week, K's! Birthday cake is baby-crack.
ReplyDelete