We’ve come a long way from the birthday lunch we shared when you student taught in my fourth grade classroom! Whether we’ve been in different cities, states, or countries knowing that we can always pick up where we left off is one of the most amazing things about family!
I hope you had a terrific birthday and that you know (despite my best efforts to be on time) that these belated wishes are heartfelt!
Love you! 🙂
I’ve always operated under the notion that late is better than never! So, having finally found my way back to the treadmill after far too long, now that both children are napping and I am once again putting off the loads of school work that will forever call to me from the remote corner of the dining room table, I figured it was a great time to send you belated (but no less sincere) birthday wishes!
It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 8 years since our first meeting where you promptly shot me twice with your air soft gun and told me to squish your nose – the lasting evidence of a hard fought ice hockey game between brothers! There’s hardly a dull moment when you’re around and it’s just one of the many things I’ve come to appreciate.
Here’s to a terrific year! 🙂
I’ve known what I wanted to post for your birthday for a while now. Granted, I could write about the time I smeared cookie dough in your mustache because I thought you were fake sleeping. Perhaps helping you in the garage, learning how to ski, or scrambled eggs would make great topics. I could write about how unbelievably scared I was two years ago when you had your stroke, or the pride I felt last week when we accomplished a goal together. Whether its your perfectly buttered toast or just the right solution to a problem I’m having, I’m so thankful that I get to celebrate YOU today!
I know this is lengthy, but this is a piece I began writing a long time ago. I originally thought it was a piece about Garth and I…but as I wrote, I realized it became a piece about being Daddy’s Girl. Today, this is my gift to you. I love you beyond words. Happy Birthday!
I saw the glow of Christmas lights through the still-drawn shades of my parents’ home and smiled. I’ve always loved the holidays – the energy and excitement, the inherent insanity of extended family gatherings. From the moment he proposed, a December wedding seemed completely perfect.
Climbing out of the car, the mid-sixty degree weather was a welcome contrast to the thick white snow that shone in the early morning light. As I carefully collected my dress, we made our way inside.
“Hello? We’re home.” I called upon entering.
“Well if it isn’t the newlyweds,” chimed mom as she rounded the corner of the kitchen. Exchanging hugs, dad joined us and we sat for a few moments to chat before busily preparing for the brunch that would begin shortly.
With each family member that arrived, my parents’ home grew smaller in such a way that it added to the coziness of both the season and the lingering sentimentality we all seemed to be feeling. Eating and laughing, I looked around the room at the two sides of my new family and allowed the little bubble of happiness to tickle its way through me. My aunt and new sister-in-law were laughing and chatting like old friends, and our grandparents were smiling over their steaming mugs of coffee. I remember thinking, so this is how it feels, as I watched my new family get more acquainted.
Still on display, my new husband and I opened our gifts with our family offering the appropriate “oooo’s and aaaa’s.” We were back to our “real-selves” and not our “wedding-selves” anymore.
Just as the wedding and reception, the brunch passed by quickly and people began retreating to the comfort of their own homes. We spent the afternoon getting things put away and by early evening the day had come full circle leaving just my parents and us at home. In the emptiness, their home felt much larger, but the remnant notes of laughter, the soft twinkling of the tree lights and the quiet holiday music playing in the background filled the home with happiness and love.
Once again we talked about the ceremony and the unpredictably perfect weather. Ever the hostess, Mom asked, “So what do you guys want to do tonight?” It was a simple question, with an ordinary answer. Looking into my husband’s eyes and then back in the direction of my parents, I replied plainly, “Well, I think we’re just going home.”
“Oh? Well sure,” she said. Dad shifted in his chair.
“But we can hang out here for a while, right Babe?”
“You bet,” he said, squeezing my hand. He knew me too well.
* * *
Finally, the time came and we said our good-byes. Making arrangements to get the rest of our gifts and my belongings, we headed toward our car. The snow now glistened in the silvery moonlight and our breath fell in steamy clouds as we offered one last farewell. I felt slightly foolish about being so emotional, especially now, when everything was over. I’d always thought that waiting with my dad in the foyer of the church, walking down the aisle, or dancing that “daddy-daughter” dance at the reception would cause that tight feeling in my throat. Perhaps I thought this because at the very mention of any of these events, my dad would get that look in his eyes and politely change the subject.
Honestly, I was somewhat surprised, and mildly disappointed, that throughout it all he remained so composed. Yet thinking back, perhaps it was his composure that allowed me to keep my emotions at bay as well. I never imagined that a simple statement – “Well, I think we’re going home,” – could bring tears to his eyes. And mine.
“It’s not like we won’t see them again, right?” I asked Garth while swiping at the tears I could no longer contain. “I mean, what’s the big deal?”
“You’re not his little girl anymore,” he said calmly. “That IS a big deal.” I glanced back at the two of them, huddled together behind their frosty front door, waving. A quick wave and we were on our way. It was a bittersweet feeling to be leaving home, yet heading there as well.
* * *
It wasn’t in my white dress, under a veil that I became a wife. It was in the reflection of expression in my father’s eyes that I saw my new role and embraced it with all the uncertainty it included.
It’s funny because of all the things that are running through my mind about you today – the years of church programs, late night talks, extra-curricular activities, church camp, shopping, arguing, hugging, crying, and laughing – the one that stands out most clearly is my overwhelming desire to say, “Thank you!”
I remember throughout many of our late-night talks hearing some variation of “when you become a mother….” I figured it was just something that all moms said, just “because.” And while I’ve been known to have a hard time admitting that you were right about something, I am finding them unbelievably true throughout my experiences thus far. There really is no way to describe the sickeningly sweet combination of love, hope, anticipation and apprehension that is motherhood.
The hopes and dreams I hold for my kids are the same that you held for me. The possibility that something could happen to one of them causes me physical pain. The unspeakable need to keep Christ at the center of my life so that He might guide me to make the right decisions becomes more evident each and every day.
Becoming a mother myself, has taught me, more fully, what it means to be a daughter. I can only pray that someday my own children will think of me with a fraction of the love, respect and admiration that fills my thoughts of you. As you enter this new year, I hope it is filled with more blessings than your heart can hold!
I love you, Mom! Happy Birthday!
Proverbs 31:28
There are many words I can think of that would describe you well. Energetic. Determined. Hard-working. Generous. The list could go on and on. I cannot tell you how thankful I am to be part of your amazing family. I’ve learned so much about life and love. I remember turning pens, cutting cedar shakes, documenting the dismantling of a barn, garden tours, and International travel just to name a few.
I always love the intense laughter around the kitchen table and the way you dream of a project and then plan it to perfection. I love watching “the guys” work and play together and can only trust that the caliber of Garth’s character is a testament to the way he was raised.
I’m not sure I’ve said it to you, but sometimes I wish there weren’t as many miles between our families, so we could visit more – especially now, with the kids. Yet, at the same time, I wouldn’t change anything about “the resort” because it’s always such a welcomed change. I can already see the little ones enjoying countless summers wandering through garden rows, and roasting marshmallows over the fire before camping out in the cabin.
With all the memories left to make, I hope this birthday and the coming year offer you every happiness!
Cornwell Crew 