To Our Girls: You Won't Remember

Dear Bailey (age 5), Lou (age 3), and Parker (age 1),

There are parts of our life that you won't remember because you are so young, but we will. There are things that your dad and I do, that all good parents do, that you won't remember. There are also things that you do that melt our hearts, that you won't remember. Many of these tiny things have made a huge impact on our lives.

You won't remember ...

• The joy that was in our hearts the day you were born.
• The prayers that we said over you and your life before you were born, and everyday since. The prayers for your perfect health, growth, and development. The prayers that you will become strong women and contagious followers of Christ.
• The nights we worried about you when you were sick. The nights we set an alarm to wake up in the middle of the night to make sure that your high fever had broke.
• The nights we rocked you a few extra minutes so that we could feel your sweet breath on our neck just a little bit longer.
• The way we had to hold back tears whenever you got hurt.
• The times that you said something hilarious, but we couldn't show it because you were being sassy. So, we covered our faces or left the room to laugh.
• The times we snuck into your room at night to watch you sleep.
• The "fun" activities we said no to because we didn't want to miss spending time with you. Besides, you are all the fun we need.
• The way you run up and hug our legs when we've been apart.
• The first time you said "I love you" or "mommy" or "daddy"
• How proud we were of you the first time you accomplished something big like riding your bike without training wheels, or jumping off the diving board.
• The long hours we spent running/working out at 5:30am or 8:30pm so that we wouldn't miss our time with you.
• That mommy and daddy talked about nothing but you on our date nights.
• Listening to the same kids music over and over and over in the car, and how we wouldn't correct you when you sang the wrong words because they fit pretty good if you really thought about it.
• For instance, you liked to sing the 12 disciples song which ends in "and Bartholomew;" however, you said "if I follow you."
• The first time you asked to run with us because you see our love of exercise.
• The first time you said a prayer on your own.
• All the band-aids that we put on barely noticeable boo-boo's because it made you feel so much better.
• The way we completely altered our schedule to make sure that your needs were met.
• How we were changed for the better because of you.

 ... but we will.

We love you more than you'll ever know,
Mommy & Daddy