Eden, Today You Are 4!

My dearest Eden,

Today you are 4 years old. You are everything I could have ever wanted in a little girl and so much more.

The other evening you asked me something that stopped me in my tracks. You said, “Mommy, when I grow up can we hang out?” I replied, “Of course! We already do.” You responded, “Yeah, but when I grow up, what will you call me?” I didn’t understand where you were going with this, so I simply said, “Eden. I will call you Eden.” You said, “No! I want you to call me your best friend.”

And I melted.

Eden, you have grown up so much this year. You faced new adventures and tackled them all with enthusiasm and grace. This year you started weekly swim lessons which you still look forward to. You also took a full year of ballet/tap, and even though you were the tiniest dancer you were so focused on your instructor. You are determined to star in the Nutcracker one day. You also started preschool this year. You never cried one time, I can’t even say the same for your older brother! You looked forward to school and were sad when it ended for the summer.

Eden, you have the most fiery spirit. You dance to the beat of your own drum and you don’t care who knows. You will not be a follower. I can already tell that at the young age of 4. You were born to be a leader, yet you will still look to your older brother for direction.

You are my middle child and my only girl and I simply adore you. I love you to your core. Your sassy attitude, your wit, and your free spirit. You love to sing, you love to color, you love to act out movie scenes. Eden, you are a performer through and through.

You love to spend time with me in the kitchen helping me cook. You also like to hang out in the bathroom while I get ready. You are always grabbing a pen and paper to sit next to me in my office while I work. You tell me I’m pretty and smell nice. You love to whisper, “Mommy, it’s just the girls now.” I’m your girl and you’re mine and that will never change.

Eden, I wish I could stop time. I wish I could sneak into your bedroom and sleep next to you every night. You sleep so peacefully. I wish I could take you on a vacation, just me and you. I don’t even care where we go, I just love spending time with you.

I’m sorry you have to share my attention with your brothers. Your brothers are so wonderful to you. I wished more than anything growing up I had siblings, I hope you always look at them as blessings.

Eden, today you turn 4 years old and while you are growing up so fast, you are also still so little. May you always be little and brave. May you always be kind. May you always be fiery. May you always be unafraid to speak your mind. May you always laugh. May you always whisper “it’s just the girls now.” And may you always feel the fierce love of your mommy.

Love always,

Mama