Someone's turning 5!!

I can't believe it...you're turning 5. In just a little over 24 hours you will no longer be a baby, or a toddler anymore, you will be a little girl. And I'm already crying, just typing the words.

Watching you grow has been so many things, so many happy things, but for me it's also sad. From the minute you were born I wanted to hold you and never let you go. I remember watching you, holding you in my arms and having the overwhelming desire to just have you inside of me again, where you were safe, where you would stay little, perfect, innocent, where i could protect you always. But the irony in being a parent is that that's what you have to do. God gives you this precious soul to help protect for 9 shorts months, and then he lays her in your arms to give to him. He puts her into the world and asks you to raise her to one day walk away. I don't ever want to let you go. You are my heart and my soul. And every year it's hard, but this year is the hardest by far, because I know that very soon you will be taking your very first steps away from me. How bittersweet.

I write one of these letters every year, it's tradition, so what can I say that I haven't already said a million times? Rebekah, you are AMAZING. You are the light of my life. There isn't a day you don't put a smile on my face. Your smile, your laughter, it's contagious. The happiness you radiate is overwhelming. God put you on this earth to make other's happy, I'm convinced of it. We are so blessed to have you in our life. You are so full of life, so full of love, so full of personality, and I'm so happy that you are you.

My heart swells with pride for you as I watch all you accomplish and think about all the things you WILL accomplish. 5 is such a milestone, such a big deal! You are soo excited! In a few short months you will be starting Kindergarten, you will be losing your first tooth, and you will be learning about the world outside of this home that your father and I have built for you. The world where there are so many parts I wish I could hide from you. But I trust God and I am excited for the journey you have ahead, it's going to be quite a ride. It's already been quite a ride. Parenting is so hard, but a gift i cherish more than anything. I cherish YOU more than anything. You teach me so much everyday. About God, about myself, about you, about the world. You're such a precious, precious sweet soul and I pray that that never changes.

Happy 5th birthday, baby!! I know you hate it when I call you that because you proclaim loudly every time, "I am NOT a baby, I am a big girl!" :) So sassy and opinionated, that's my girl.

I love you to the moon and back,
Mommy