and then she was three

In some ways it seems that I have known you, understood you, from the very beginning.

You were the desire of my heart. I held you inside me for many long months and treasured the knowing of you there. I prayed for you and I loved you.

When you were born, you did not cry, and I recognized your gentleness. As we bonded and our trust grew, it has only grown and grown and grown. You trust me and love me, and I trust you and love you. You have helped me grow even as I have helped you grow.

Your middle name means grace, and when I look at you, I see God's grace to us. Your daddy has also loved that the root word for your middle name is joy. We see God's joy in you, too. We delight in you. We teach you and lead you and discipline you but oh, daughter, how much we delight in you! Every day my heart praises God for you.

You sing loudly and joyfully now, making up spontaneous glad songs to the Lord your God. You delight in learning, delight in conversing with me. You delight in so many things that I delight in too and perhaps I have trained you that way but nonetheless you are your own person, and I love the person who you are. You amaze me and stretch me with your questions and enthusiasm. I don't know how else to say this but to just say it: Daughter, you may be only three years old, but I could not be more pleased with the direction your character is taking. I could not be more pleased with you, could not take more joy in you. I am so happy to be your mama. I've never enjoyed a little girl more than I've enjoyed you.

I am so thankful for you. Happy birthday, beautiful daughter.