Gracie,
A few minutes ago you came running through the office screaming “B!! B!! B!!” with a huge grin on your face, jumped into my lap and wrapped your little arms around my neck. After a quick hug you twisted around, pointed to the computer and said “B, peen-cess, peen-cess”. And so we pulled up your favorite Disney princess videos & I couldn’t help but watch your eyes sparkle with joy as your smile grow bigger every time a new video began. When it was time for you to go you gave me a big squeeze complete with a baby grunt emphasizing just how much effort you were putting into that hug.
This moment was not abnormal for us. In fact, nearly each weekday we have identical moments just like this one. Yet especially today, my heart is overwhelmed with grateful joy that I get to be a small part of your story. You, sweet Gracie, are so very special. You have a personality that brings joy to every person you come in contact with. You are naturally girly, yet just a couple days ago I watched you jump right in to a wrestling match with your big brothers. You love to be silly and make me laugh often. I love that I have memories of you reaching for me before you could walk, toddling to me as you learned to walk and running to me as you have grown from baby to little girl. I love that your favorite movie is Cinderella & that you have learned to love shoes at an early age. I love your curls & I love that you love to watch videos on my phone. I love the way you laugh when something is really funny and the way anyone within earshot can’t help but laugh right along with you.
Most of all, I love the way you undeniably belong here. The way you look like & trust your Mommy. The way you adore your Daddy. The way your big brothers have bonded with you & take care of you. The excitement you have about your new baby sister. The way you belong in our church family so deeply that I cannot imagine what it would be like without you dancing through worship or running through the office each afternoon. The way you belong with our friends as I see each family loving you as one of their own. You are so special!
Thank you for teaching me about the way my Heavenly Father loves me and chose me to be His daughter. Thank you for teaching me about the importance of living with joy & sharing it with everyone I encounter. Thank you for the sweet hugs, the silly laughter, the cuddles while watching Cinderella, the nicknames & the many, many princess videos on youtube and cell phone videos.
I know at two years old you can’t comprehend how much you are loved, how much you teach each one of us, or how blessed we are to have you as part of our lives, but I hope this letter serves as a reminder to you someday when you need it. I am so enjoying this stage of your life, yet also look forward to watching you grow in maturity & intimacy with the Lord. I am cheering you on, sweet Gracie girl. No matter how near or far I am to you as you grow up, I will be rooting for you & praying for you. You are so very, very special to me.
Love you so much,
B
