Daughter dearest....

Dear Brightlie....

I can't believe that you are already 14 months old today. My heart has been full all day, thinking about how much love we have for you. It seems like yesterday I was crying as I showed your daddy the pregnancy test (positive!), crying at the doctors when he announced you were a girl, and crying in the hospital the moment your were placed in my arms. Words cannot express how much I love everyday I have with you! You were such a good baby, sleeping through the night, a good eater, healthy and beautiful. And now you are a toddler, running laughing, exploring. Time is moving so fast, I wish I could make you stay little just a little longer. I love when you give me kisses, hold my hand, and plop down in my lap to cuddle. I love everything about you!

I can't help but think about your future, and the role we will play in it... will you be happy? Will you feel loved? Will you be self-confident and a leader? Will you talk with us and share with us your dreams? Will you go to college? Will you be a friend to others? Will you see that even though we make mistakes, we loved you and tried our best to raise you in righteousness? Will you believe in the strength of marriage and the truth of Eternal Families? Will you turn to us when life is hard? Will you tell us all about your first love, and your first heartache? I hope so... I hope that we will always be best friends.... because that is how my mom and I were.

We love you so much and are so proud of you. You are so smart, pretty, and happy. You were born to standout, and you already do! I know that I will love all of our children, but between us, it is hard to imagine that you could be anything less than my favorite. I love you so much. Happy 14 months, Princess.