Ten years ago right now, I was waiting on this beauty to make her debut.  I had started with contractions at 4am.  Once they were 5 minutes apart, we went to the hospital.  I was told I was “not in enough pain” and wouldn’t be admitted, despite being 5cm dilated.  A quick trip to McDonald’s for lunch changed my situation rather quickly though, and I was in so much pain that I couldn’t even walk.  We went back to the hospital where the same nurse who had previously told me I couldn’t stay actually asked me what I was doing back there.  Geez.  She checked me again, and said “she’s admitted” without making eye contact, and quickly walked out the door.  I was ushered to a birthing room, given my bag of fluid, and had my epidural administered.  Within minutes of the pain meds taking effect, I was 9cm dilated.  Nice.  I slowly got to 10cm over the next hour.  And with 20 minutes of pushing, my precious daughter entered the world and made me a mama for the very first time.  She was everything I could have hoped for.

Ten years later, she is still everything anyone could ever hope for in a daughter.  She is kind, patient, loving, joyful, and smart.  She thinks of others and is giving.  She is forgiving.  She is creative.  And I sometimes think she might be part mermaid considering her affinity for water.  She has never been much of a princess, but she sure is growing into a strong, independent young lady.  She is wise beyond her years.  She loves Jesus and surrounds herself with wonderful friends.  I am certainly not ready for her to grow up quite yet, but I am so excited to see what God’s plans are for her in the future.  She can do anything she feels led to do, and I know she is going to do great things.

My parents have always said she reminds them of me when I was her age.  Not just in looks, but in her personality too.  I can sometimes see the resemblance.  But I see the individual person she is becoming too, and it’s one of the most gratifying and miraculous things to witness as a parent.  I’m sad that my Daddy isn’t here to see her turn 10 or to share any other birthday with her.  He loved her so very much.  But he is with us in our memories and will be with us in our forever home too.

Happy, happy 10th birthday to my precious first-born baby girl.  It’s a privilege to be her mama and walk this journey of life with her.  I never knew I could love a child so much until she came into my life.  Being her mom has been one of my greatest earthly gifts.