She's 19!

My Anna Babe is 19 today!

We've done a little celebrating,

with a little bit more to go.

Happy Birthday, my Anna girl!

Since the very first moment I knew you were in my womb,

the awareness of your existence lived in my every thought.

When I felt you move inside of me for the very first time, 

the tangible (to me) evidence of your growing enough 

for me to feel from the inside out

moved me to a level of joy I'd never known before.

When I saw your little face for the very first time,

I realized that I had never really known beauty until that moment.

As you were born not breathing,

the very first moment that I did hear you 

finally take your very first feeble breath,

you forever, 

from that point on,

captured 

my 

every breath.

On this birthday of yours,

as I think about you from your beginning until now

and having watched you navigate the waters of your first 19 years,

I want you to know that 

you, 

my Anna girl,

STILL

captivate me!

I love you!

Always have, always will!

Happy Birthday! 

Love, Mama