The fifth day of the fifth month of your fifth year

Five years ago today, I was beached on a hospital bed awaiting your arrival. Several unsuccessful attempts to bring you into this world, failed. Quite honestly, my body failed. It failed to blast you out of the mine of comfort and warmth but these doctors knew how to fix the problem. They doped me up, hogged-tied me and Voila! You were shockingly delivered into the arms neck of a freaked out mother in less than 20 minutes then shockingly, moved on to be poked and prodded.

Seconds after delivery, I found out you were a little girl. My heart soared, the birds sang and the breath from my body was whisked away from this very news. I had a daughter. A dream fulfilled. I hoped and prayed at that very moment, you and I would come to understand what it means to have a beautiful mother-daughter relationship. You see, I have one of the most beautiful relationships would could have with their mother. It's something to cherish, hide in your pocket and defend against anyone trying to bring it down. To prove my point, while we were doing our meet-and-greet, my mother, your grandmother, was in our hospital room wringing her hands with worry over you and I. I've come to realize over the past few years of being a mother, at times the worry and concern is a curse; 95% of the time, the worry and concern is a blessing. Seriously, no one cares and loves you more than your mother.

I'm not forgetting about your father here, he cares and loves you with the blaze of a 1000 suns and would slay any dragon for your cause but when it comes right down to it - mom is the go to person when you are sick, hurt or emotionally bereft.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

The beginning wasn't so easy. Jaundice, colic and hernias abounded.

I'm sure you have spent pretty much every day of your life wondering why we were chosen as your crazy set of parents.

You've let your displeasure be known.

Especially about this nuisance who arrived a year later (I forgive you for almost killing her when we brought her home. I truly understand. She can be so annoying at times.)

I admire so many qualities about you. I especially love your eye for fashion and YOUR own interpretation of what this entails.

I love your beautiful smile

and I can't believe I'm saying this - I love your attitude.

Don't get me wrong, this was your attitude pretty much from age eighteen months until 3.5 years old.  A VERY LONG PERIOD if you ask me.

Somewhere along the way, you snapped out of your evil ways and became such an angel. A joy to be around. Thoughtful, kind and even dare I say it? Sweet.

Your sister? She picked up where you got off on the crappy train.

This weekend while you kicked it against the wall and waited quite patiently for all the idiotic children to calm down at your dance recital, I caught a glimpse of what you will look like as a grown woman. My vision was not due to the whorish make-up they make you wear for this shin-dig, I caught sight of your heart and all it's beautiful splendor. You are growing into a beautiful person but most importantly, inside is really where you beauty resides. You my dear a wonderful gift that keeps giving and giving and giving.

Thank you for sharing your first Five years with me. It's been quite a ride. A ride I feel blessed to be able to take with you.