Yesterday was a special day. But, for some reason, I couldn’t make myself sit down and write about it. It was a little surreal. When you have a baby, it seems an eternity lies before you with regard to that tiny bundle of innocence you hold in your arms. Then, suddenly (as cliche as it sounds), one day you wake up to a grown child. One who picks out her own clothes and fixes her own hair and drives away to her own “play dates” that you didn’t arrange. Yesterday was that day for me.

Eighteen years ago yesterday, I was busying my very pregnant self with paying bills and getting the house clean before I went to the hospital to be induced the next day. I was 10 days past my due date and I was VERY ready. However, I started having pesky Braxton-Hicks contractions (or so I thought) that were actually timeable. No pain, just pressure. When they got to 5 minutes apart, I called the doctor. He said, “you don’t sound like you’re in labor”. I said, “I don’t feel like it either, but they’re timeable.” “Come on in”, he said, “but don’t expect to stay.” Grumbling because I thought they should just keep me there and get the show on the road, I called Hubs. I dropped M at a neighbor’s and didn’t even call the grandparents. When I arrived at the hospital, I was dialated to a “6”. An hour and a half later, E was in my arms!

I tell you that scenario, because it is indicative of E today – she does things on her own terms. She is like her father in that way, and I suspect that it will serve her well in adulthood. I should’ve known, when she started walking at 9 months and I found her on top of the refrigerator at 10 months, that she would have a rather fearless approach to life. She’s also never had a problem talking to adults, or making them come around to her way of thinking – like the time when her 2nd grade teacher explained why she allowed E to sit on TOP of her desk during class…that child had calmly explained to her that she felt she would learn better up there!

There are a lot of things that I love about E, but there are things in particular, that really stand out:

• Her whole face smiles, not just her mouth.
• She would do anything for those who are important to her.
• She loves her friends enough to tell them the truth.
• She is very straight-forward and doesn’t mince words.
• She stands up for the underdog, as well as herself.
• She is lively and fun and has a zest for life.

Happy Birthday, my baby girl grown! Take that zest for life and face the future head-on! You and God will do amazing things together! And, the hearts from which you come are right here, loving you and cheering you on!