Tuesday, April 1, 2008

happy birthday dani


My dearest Danielle,

I can not believe 20 years have passed since you made your entrance into this world, and our lives. Where has the time gone? I wish I could remember each and every moment. I wish I could go back and relive most of the moments, just to enjoy you at every stage again.

To buy you those cute clothes that you and I keep noticing in the little girls department at Target. To watch you dance in your blue tutu. To read a book to you before you fell asleep. To cheer for you as you dribbled the soccer ball down the field. To get down on the floor with you to color, or play Barbie dolls, or build a fort. To hear you talk about a certain boy, or your camp experience, or your favorite movie. To help you with science projects, or teach you to drive, or wish you good luck as you walked out the door on your way to your first job.

Not every moment was a happy one. There were struggles, challenges, anger, and pain. But such times are a valuable part of life. They taught us both how to cope and they made us stronger. You taught me how to be a better mom and youth leader and I'm hoping you learned that you have an inner strength that can handle anything that comes your way.

Whether they were good times or bad, I consider each and every moment with you as a gift. You have been a blessing to your dad and I. And we have had the pleasure of watching you grow into an amazing young woman.

You are beautiful both inside and out and your heart overflows with compassion and mercy. It's been so heartwarming to watch your relationship with God grow as well as a passion for reaching out to others. And it's always fun watching you use your gifts and abilities working with children.

Thank you for 20 wonderful years. I wish for you a day full of laughter and love. Happy Birthday Danielle. I love you so much.


You can see it in their eyes,
in tender hugs and long good-byes,
a love only mothers and daughters know.

You can see it in their smiles,
through passing years and changing styles,
a friendship that continually seems to grow.

You can see it in their lives,
the joy each one of them derives,
in just knowing that the other one is there...

To care and to understand,
lend an ear or hold a hand,
and to celebrate the memories they share.
~Anonymous

12 comments:

Momma Roar said...

Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter!

I really enjoy reading posts like this b/c it makes me excited to see what the years ahead with my kiddos will be like!

Jamey said...

Happy Birthday Danielle!! What a great letter to your daughter. It makes me want to do more with my kids through every stage...because you can never go back. But it also makes me look forward to the future knowing there are more great stages to come!! I hope you both have a great day and get to spend some time together!

Lori said...

Happy Birthday Dani!! What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful young lady.
Love and Hugs,

I'm playing catch up on your blog.
I finally posted again. A slideshow from our Easter.

Unknown said...

Happy birthday, Dani! What a beautiful letter that you will cherish for years to come!

j said...

Happy Birthday to Danielle!!

Jennifer

Susan said...

Wonderful tribute to your daughter.
Susan

nancy said...

With four daughters of my own, I know what it is to spend a lifetime with my best friends. My oldest girl was born when I was still in my teens and we kind of grew up together. So I loved your letter to your daughter and had to say "Amen".
Happy Birthday to Danielle.
Nancy

Anonymous said...

Well written, sis.

Mary@notbefore7 said...

What a beautiful treasure for your daughter to have! Love the photos! I enjoy seeing the relationship of mom/daughter in the future!

Barb said...

Love the above saying!!

Naturally I cried when I read your cherisable birthday to Danielle Nicole.

I have so, so many memories from even before she was born - you and I taking walks together talking about what your precious baby would be like - buying baby clothes and getting her room already.

Of course the best memory of her actual birthday was watching you being so brave throughout labor, of Don never letting go of your head and shoulders and then, and then watching Dani being born.

Thank you, God for Dani and her wonderful parents.

Barb said...

should have read - cherishable birthday letter!

Anonymous said...

No longer a teen, it's a whole new milestone.

You are blessed to have Dani and I can feel how much you adore her.

The best part about having our girls grow up is the friendship that comes with it.

Love the photos!