To Ava on her 7th birthday

Dear Ava,
At 1 p.m. on November 7, 2013, you turn 7.

I’m almost speechless. The thought of it literally takes my breath away.

I’ve seen you, my little girl, grow from a tiny tadpole on an ultrasound screen into one of the most beautiful souls I’ve ever met. I swear I’ve known you before this life. I must have. There’s no other way to explain my connection to you. Except that I’m your mother. Mother. I’m someone’s mother…

Wow.

I never wanted to be someone’s mother. Well, for most of my life I didn’t. And then one day, when I was 29, it hit me: I wanted a child. My need to have a baby was palpable. Once your dad and I made the decision to go down this path, it took a little over a year for you to make your appearance. But the minute your voice hit the air I knew that you, along with your dad, were my soul mate. How lucky for me to find two in one lifetime? Or to find you again in this new life?

You have been more than I have ever could have hoped for. You have exceeded my dreams, my expectations, my ideals. Sure, you’re crazy (you get that from your dad), and you are the first to admit this truth. But you are a good crazy. You’re also fun, genuine, sincere, loving, sensitive, smart, and hilarious. You are an amazing human being.

And you looks up to me. There is a tiny person on this Earth who looks up to me. Again I’m rendered speechless.

Your love for me is unconditional like mine is for you. Unconditional love isn’t something I’ve experienced a lot in my life. It’s not a concept I’m all that familiar with. But I knew the minute I felt your little flutter of life that I could never love anyone the same.

Maybe I will one day. Maybe we will welcome another life into our family. But for now, you are all that I could have hoped for in this life. You have given us more than seven years of joy. And for that I can’t thank you enough.

Love,
Your mother