Happy Birthday from Daddy

My Dear Nora,

I can’t believe you’re already a year old! Over the last couple weeks our house has been full of decorations celebrating your birthday. Mommy did such a nice job printing pictures of you and hanging them up around the house so we could reflect back on this year and rejoice over our beautiful daughter. The pictures make me smile ear to ear – especially the one of you crying at the pumpkin patch. I imagine that picture will become legendary over the years.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw you, Nora. I could see immediately the resemblance between you and your brother, but you had your own look too. You were smaller than Luke, had brown hair, and this precious little heart-shaped face. You had your mommy’s beautiful blue eyes, and her chin too. I remember taking pictures of you wearing this tiny little yellow beanie in the hospital, and I was struck by how adorable you were. So many family members and friends came to visit you in the hospital and they all remarked at how pretty you were. Sometimes I can’t stand how cute you are! I’ve probably kissed your chubby cheeks about 5,000 times this year.

The last 12 months have been a whirlwind, and I have so many precious memories of you. I remember staying up late to put the finishing touches on my doctoral dissertation, and watching you nap in your bouncer next to the table in the study. You were my little buddy – burning the midnight oil with me. Your brother was very curious about you from the beginning and very sweet toward you – but we’ve had to help him understand how to be gentle and play with you. Whenever you laugh, Luke likes to say “She’s funny!”

You’ve also gotten to travel quite a bit in your first year: a family trip to Denver for my PhD graduation and a trip with Mommy and Daddy to Florida for our ARC church-planter training. Nana came along and helped, and your great Aunt Michele was there too. Such fun memories having you with us on those trips!

As you’ve gotten older this year I can see more of my Mom in you (Nana), which is especially noticeable when I look at the pictures we have of her when she was a baby. But your eyes have gotten even bluer since you were a newborn, and I see a lot of Mommy in you. Speaking of which, I wish you could see all that she does for you. Mommy takes such good care of you, making sure you’re clean, well-fed, entertained, and that you look nice. She always makes sure you have cute clothes on and a bow in your hair. You’re very blessed to have a Mommy like her. I know she will teach you so much about how to be a kind, confident, wise, Godly woman.

You have brought so much joy to our family, Nora. I love to see your sweet smile every day. I love crawling around on the floor with you, playing with you, giving you baths, reading you stories, and hearing your sweet little voice. I love seeing you and Luke interact. You seem to get especially excited when he takes an interest in you.

I pray for you every day Nora – that God would give me wisdom as your Daddy, and that he would capture your heart at a very young age. I pray that God would chart a course for your life that would bring him honor and glory, and in turn bring you true joy.

I love you Nora! Happy birthday!

Love,

Daddy