I can tell you one thing kid, it’s way more fun celebrating your birthdays than mine. Last night I was busy after work and had a rare evening when I wasn’t home to put you to bed. When I did get home you were long gone, and I picked you up for a quick snuggle. You barely stirred as I sat down with you in the rocking chair and held you close. The lounge looked more inviting, so I moved you over with me and reclined, listening to the sound of your sleepy breathing and smelling your hair against my nose. I held you like that for ages, and then your dad came up to see what was going on and wanted to snuggle you himself. You are our sweet sunshine each day, and just when we think we can’t possibly love you any more, you wave that little hand of yours and smile your two-toothed grin and say your “hiya da-da’s” and melt us once again. Today we sat in our favorite coffee shop, nose to nose, chatting in one syllable consonant sounds, soaking up the sunshine streaming in through those gigantic windows. You are at your sweetest self in those moments, one-on-one, smiling at me and anyone who happens by, enjoying the smell of warm coffee and ripe bananas and the pause of time, for a bit at least.
Happy birthday sunshine girl.