Dear Josie

As I lay here and watch you sleep peacefully, today I am in awe of how quickly your little face is changing and your little brain is growing. You’re getting taller, chunkier, smarter. You are aaahing and ooohing. You are grabbing and kicking. You are laughing and smiling. You make noises of all sorts. My heart flutters with each new sound. As much as I want to watch you grow, I want just a little bit longer to soak up your tiny little hands grasping mine. I want to freeze time. My time with you is priceless. My heart is full because of you. I can’t quite imagine it getting any more full. But you surprise me, little one. Every day I love you more and more. I love you so much it hurts. I promise you it hurts. But it’s a good hurt. A hurt I could never explain. You cannot understand. Not until you have children of your own.

You are so beautiful, my daughter. I tell you everyday. I tell you several times a day. And as long as I live, I will continue to remind you that you are the most beautiful little girl on this Earth. I have a few thoughts for you. A few good quotes to live by…

As you grow up, you will learn that even the one person that wasn’t supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it’s harder every time. You’ll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You’ll fight with your best friend. You’ll blame a new love for the things an old one did. You’ll cry because time is passing too fast, and you’ll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you’ve never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you’ll never get back. Don’t be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin. Marry your best friend. I do not say that lightly. Really, truly find the strongest, happiest friendship in the person you fall in love with. Someone who speaks highly of you. Someone you can laugh with. The kind of laughs that make your belly ache, and your nose snort. The embarrassing, earnest, healing kind of laughs. Wit is important. Life is too short not to love someone who lets you be a fool with them. Make sure they are somebody who lets you cry, too. Despair will come. Find someone that you want to be there with you through those times. Most importantly, marry the one that makes passion, love, and madness combine and course through you. A love that will never dilute-even when the waters get deep and dark. Love someone like your daddy. Who is all of the above and more. He will always be your first love. And there will be no other man on this Earth who will love you harder, stronger and with every fiber in his body.

You are the reason I became stronger but still, you are my weakness. You put color in our world. We love you to the moon and back times infinity.

Remember: a mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.

Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be. I hope to be a role model to you when you get older. I hope you look at me with wonder and ask me hundreds of questions. I will teach you how to help others and show you just how wonderful it feels. Being a nurse is truly rewarding and if I could express to you how much it fulfills me I will spend my entire life with you trying. Being kind to others should come naturally. Being kind to others is so important. Don’t ever be afraid to stand up to what you believe in. Don’t ever let anyone bully you. And please, don’t ever be a bully. You never know what battles others are fighting. You’d be surprised how much a hug can do. Be kind. Be strong. You can be anything you set your heart to. And we are here to help you in any way we can. Always. Every step of the way.

We love you Patoots!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy