Seven

It happens with no warning.  No one can prepare you.  I mean, they can say the words.  They can lecture, preach, or cite well researched and educated articles, but you just can’t grasp it until it happens.  There is no possible way you can prepare yourself for that moment when the one who will call you ‘Mama’ is placed in your arms for the very first time.  In an instant, often times after months and months of discomfort and pain, a tiny, pink, squishy, screaming, wide-eyed baby is placed on her chest, and a Mama’s heart is born.

I remember that moment.  The moment I quietly took in the little life that wrecked my heart with a powerful love that I’d never felt before.  I remember thinking to myself that I would never love anything or anyone more than this.  I thought it once.  I thought it again.  And then I thought it again.

What I didn’t know, though?  What I couldn’t understand until it actually happened?  I didn’t know that somehow, the love would grow.  When I thought my heart could not contain any more, each passing year it grows–my love for those little lives that call me “Mama”, grows. 

Seven years ago today, my heart exploded with that indescribable love when our little Chanelle burst into the world.

She’s seven today.  

Chanelle is seven.  Seven years old today.  My baby girl is seven.

Somehow it seems like a lifetime ago and just yesterday all at once.  Somehow, it’s seems as if I’ve known her my entire life and in others ways I’m only now beginning to know who she is.

This is a special day, though. It’s her day.  Running Chatter is just for Chanelle.

Chanelle,


I just can’t tell you how thankful I am that of all the little girls in the world, God decided that you would be ours.  I am so glad that you are the one who bounds down the stairs and cheerfully greets me each and every morning.  I am so happy that it is you I get to wrap my arms around every day.  Chanelle, I am so happy you are ours.

Chanelle, there are so many things I love about you.  Like the way you like to make us all laugh.  The way you like to be silly and make jokes and the way you don’t take life, or yourself, too seriously. 

I also love to watch the way you care about your brother and sister.  The way you will always, always, always give to them, share with them, and put what they need before what you need.  You have a way of being in the world that makes those around you feel important.  You have a way to always make Meadow laugh.  (And Charlie, too, but he would never admit that.)

Chanelle, you are a like a flower that blooms more and more beautiful each and every day.  We’ve watched you work hard to learn how to read and work hard to play soccer with the older girls.  You are not afraid to work hard and that is a very special gift.

Chanelle, I’m not sure if you know this, but you teach me so much.  That might be hard to understand, but you have a way of being in the world that makes me see everything differently.  Like the way you never hurry to do anything.  Often times, when I think you are getting ready for school, I find you sitting on your floor surrounded by your horses.  For as long as I remember you have been able to stop and smell the roses–and I want to be like you someday.

And do you want to know what is really cool about you, Chanelle?  I mean, what is really, really cool?

In all of your seven years, you have never, ever been afraid to be who you are.  You have not been afraid to be different.  You have not be afraid to be you. 

And Chanelle, I guess I just want you to know that you are an incredible joy.  Your Daddy and I?  We are so happy to be your Mommy and Daddy.  We are so excited to watch you grow and become more and more who you are meant to be. 

And I want you to know, Chanelle, that we love you more than you can understand right now.  And as each day passes, we want you to know that our love for you only grows deeper and stronger.

We believe in you and want you to dream big dreams.  We know you can do anything you want to do.  We know it.

Thank you for being such a bright light in our family.  Thank you for your smile and your heart and your joyful spirit. 

Thank you for being so beautifully YOU.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl.

Love,

Mommy.