My dearest daughter,
How is it possible that you will be turning 5 in a week?
You hear it over and over when you are pregnant, “Just wait and see, the time is going to fly by.” You nod your head and you think, you THINK, you know what they mean, but you don’t. Not really. It isn’t until you are a parent that you fully understand what they mean.
I swear one day you were swaddled in my arms, and the next you were climbing the television stand. I blinked and you were writing your name and turning awkward cartwheels in the living room.
I want to hold on to you, tighter, keep time from moving. But I know that is impossible.
I love you.
I have not said that nearly enough. Have not hugged you all the times that I should have.
I’m scared by how fast you are growing up. Part of me fears that it is my fault in some way that you are so independent. That you’ve become that way because I’ve not met some need.
And part of me is proud. Proud to see you hug your little brother when he’s sad, hear you tell him the same words I’ve said to you.
You have no idea how much you have changed my world. How much you have taught me.
But that’s not the point right now. Right now I’m just trying to wrap my head around the fact that my baby will be turning 5.
I hope all your wishes come true, my little Peanut.
Mommy loves you.
Deb says
Awwww…such a lovely letter to your daughter!
Being a mother is bitter-sweet, isn’t it?
Watching our little ones learn and grow…
Children are such a blessing ~ God only entrusts them to us for a short time though!
Treasure these times as much as you can = )
OneMommy says
Yes, bitter sweet indeed.
When I asked her how she could be turning 5, she looked at me like I was crazy and said, “Mommy, I’m 4 now, 5 comes next…”
Tracie says
Aww. Happy birthday to your little Peanut.
OneMommy says
Thank you! I hope she has a great tea party this week!
Wayne says
A very nice tribute…hope all your wishes come true.
Emily @ My Pajama Days says
Time does fly, doesn’t it? And every year I think it can’t speed by any faster, and then it does. I blinked and my oldest started high school this year and attended her first home coming dance. I blinked again and my youngest turned ten and is getting ready for middle school. Amazing though, how I never age. : )
OneMommy says
Oh, I never age either! 🙂 I’m stuck at, let’s see…. 35.
Tomekha says
*tear* Beautiful post. …
OneMommy says
I should read it to her this week…
hilljean says
Aww, happy birthday! This was so sweet and sad at the same time :/ My little girl is turning four next month and I am quite shaken at this whole growing up thing. I just want to hold my baby girl for five minutes and then I’ll be ok. I think…
OneMommy says
I know! Go ahead, hold her for a little longer than 5 minutes… (My little girl won’t let me hold her even that long anymore…)
Kristen says
It does go by so quickly. Some of our days seem to last forever but when you look back, the years go by in an instant. This is a beautiful letter to your daughter and will be something she cherishes as she grows older.
OneMommy says
Oh, yes, there are days that go on and on and on… But I swear she was just learning to walk and now she is 5.
christine says
Happy Birthday to your girl. Yes, that time does just fly by!
OneMommy says
Thank you — if I could just slow down time…
Shell says
How sweet! Time really does fly!
Missy | The Literal Mom says
My youngest just turned 5 in August. I feel the exact same way as you. How did it happen so fast?
Xiomara | Equis Place says
May Peanut’s next year of life be filled with many blessings, lots of love and laughter, and many more milestones. It’s true that time flies, and we don’t really understand that until we are parents. I love when parents write letters to their children. I did one this past month for my son turning two. Hopefully, when our children our older, they will read these letters and see just how much we appreciate them. Thanks for sharing! ~Xiomara
OneMommy says
I need to get all those letters together for her!
Whitney says
Yep, they grow up entirely too fast! Mine are 16 & 12, when I pull out the pictures they took as little sweet girls. Ok I just wiped my tears! Visiting from SITS!
OneMommy says
Mine is already talking about when she can drive…. I keep wanting to tell her to slow down and let Mommy hold on to her a little longer…
Erin S. says
What a beautiful post! It’s remarkable how quickly children grow up. Enjoy every minute!
OneMommy says
Thank you. They grow up way too fast!
Amy @ Counting My Kisses says
So beautiful! Love your heartfelt words. Your daughter will treasure this one day!! And ugh…so bittersweet how fast they grow. You are exactly right~ everyone tells you it goes fast but you don’t really believe them til you blink & your child is walking, talking, going to school…
Happy birthday to your daughter! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful letter!
OneMommy says
Thank you. I hope one day she realizes, even just a little, how much I love her. They grow up so fast!
Donna DM Yates says
The time does go by very quickly, sad but true.