This one hurts a little bit. Nine. NINE. You like to remind me that this is your last single-digit birthday, and I tell you to please stop. You very quickly shout “no!” paired with that contagious giggle of yours. 

I see you growing up, and it’s both beautiful and a little terrifying. A little painful. Things feel harder now. You don’t just need my help to tie shoes or to open a tightly wrapped toy. You need help understanding loss, mistakes, jealousy, anger. You want to know about the whole world, but are still young enough that I feel the need to shield you. You love academia – still a fantastic student and just as eager to go to school every single morning, not only to see your friends, but to LEARN. How you love to learn. In fact, you love it so much, you say you want to be a teacher when you grow up.

Your heart is so big. Your light is so bright. You are kind, endlessly full of quirky energy, and always ready to have a good time. Always the performer, your favorite place is on a stage, and you have added a cheer floor to the mix this year.  You are strong, and work hard to get better at the things you love. You are a voracious reader, especially of graphic novels. You love Taylor Swift and the Descendants, and I can find you creating your own choreography anytime I pass by your room. You love playing with makeup, Kuromi (and anything you consider “emo”), and learning new acro tricks. You started to travel the world with us, and can’t wait to continue to add stamps to your passport.

What I love the most is that you know EXACTLY who you are, and you are not ashamed of it in the least. You proudly state that you are a nerd and enjoy being every bit the individual you are at only nine years old. Some days are hard. Very, very hard. We are painstakingly honest with you about your ADHD, and I know you chose me to challenge me, and help me become better. I tell you every single day that you are my best friend and that we are a team. You may be an only child, but you are the furthest thing from alone. You have so many people that love you, and believe in you. 

Something about this year feels big, I can see you changing. With all the changes: from PJ Masks and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to Lululemon and Sephora, remember to never change your heart. Your soul. Do not change for one single soul. Not even for me. Not for one minute. 

Don’t forget: to me, you are perfect.

Happy birthday, moon. Cheers to new adventures ahead!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Every year these just get more and more surreal. You are EIGHT. Someone said, “once they turn 8, that’s it. They are no longer little.” And I see it: in your face, in your interests, in the way you are trying to understand the world around you, but I don’t see it in your heart. It’s so big and innocent. It’s so kind and soft. It may be my favorite thing about you, but honestly there are so many it’s hard to pinpoint. 

You’re quirky and unique. You are hyperactive, bubbly and silly: always ready for a good time. You’re wickedly smart. You feel everything so deeply. You are a wonderful friend and are always there to support  and help them believe in themselves. You love family and tell me you are going to have a big one when you are older, and move to California (thanks for letting us move right next to you though). You’re so determined, and thus, so hard on yourself. I wish you could see what I see. 

You still love every minute of performing, whether it’s dancing or acting. You want to learn how to play the ukelele and the drums. You say you want to be a gaming YouTuber when you grow up, but you are starting to be heavily drawn to design + photography, like daddy. I love your imagination – you have such a creative mind and a free spirit. You love to travel and to experience new things (as long as they aren’t roller coasters). You live for storytelling: reading books, watching movies or making up your own. You love shopping and going to Starbucks + fro-yo. You watch football with daddy and cheer for the niners along with him. 

Baby girl, you are infinite. If you only knew the surge of love I feel every time you smile, you speak in that animated tone, you sleep perfectly holding your stuffies in bed, or when you…are just being you. I thank the universe every single day for you. That we are lucky enough to have been given you, and the gift of watching you grow. 

I love you more than anything in this world. Happy birthday, moon 🌙  I have a feeling eight is going to be great. 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7