Thursday, October 21, 2010

A Sense of Style

This post is in honor of our daughter's birthday. The remainder of the blog will be addressed to her. (If you, dear reader, are very quiet, you may listen in.)
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Dearest daughter:

When I think of you, I am filled with a flood of thoughts. I think back to when I first learned you were going to be a girl. As a mother of "advanced maternal age" (snort), I had genetic testing done. Among the things that testing could tell us was what SEX you would be. When the hospital called, I asked--and what is "it"? The health worker on the other end paused and said--are you sure you want to know? ABSOLUTELY. Well, she said--you are having a girl.


A girl? Since we had a boy, I thought--well, another boy would be easy (HA!), but a girl? Of course, by the time you were born, I had adjusted to the idea. Soon after you were born, I reveled in it. And I still do.

There are many stories I could explore in remembering your growing up. Many, if not all of them, you have heard. They are still among my favorite stories to tell. I will be sparing, and select only one. You know this one.

I remember the day when you were maybe in junior high. You asked me--Mom, when did you get your sense of style? I confess--I was secretly pleased. My daughter. She's growing up. She wants to know when she will begin to be more like her mother.

I am not sure exactly how I answered, but then I remember I said--why do you ask? Well, you said, when I get my own sense of style, I hope it's not like yours.

Crushed! But not really--in the long run, I am so very glad you are your own young woman. I love that you are so strong, so determined, so intelligent, so lovely, so much our daughter.

I know, I know--you're no doubt saying--don't get all weepy on me, mom!

So, on this day--here's to you, to your wonderful sense of style, to you being your own person.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Love you to the moon and back. . .

Mom

11 comments:

Jayne said...

What a sweet tribute to your beautiful girl! Happy Birthday to your daughter!

Dog_geek said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter - thanks for letting us listen in on your letter!

NCmountainwoman said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter.

possumlady said...

Yes, Happy Birthday to your daughter!

This post made my teary eyed. Not that I have any children, but it made me miss my mom. We talked at least once a week and at the end of almost every conversation she would say how proud she was of me and all that I've accomplished. Gosh how I miss that...

Mauigirl said...

I literally laughed out loud at your daughter's reply that when she gets her sense of style she hopes it's not like yours! I remember treating my poor mother that way myself.

On a more serious note, that is a lovely letter to your daughter and I hope she has a wonderful birthday!

By the way, I think I do have my mother's sense of style...in my case, elastic waist pants and shirts that don't tuck in, LOL!

Ginnie said...

She's a knockout and certainly has a stylish sense that is all HER.
Lovely !!

Nance said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

Denise said...

I concur with your letter! (Not that you need it, BTW) She is wonderful, and a beautiful woman. And...I do think her mother had quite a bit to do with that!! Happy Birthday, Kristen!

Anonymous said...

Lovely thoughts, lovely daughter! Mountain Musing has a celebration of her daughter, too, and our daughter Boo has a birthday in a few days.

Happy Birthday, indeed!

PS... it's her birthday, but you can cry if you want to. :)

troutbirder said...

Very nice! And s0 proud and well deserved.

amarkonmywall said...

Happy Birthday to you both. This post moved me (to the point of commenting! ;-) ). Shared the exact same prenatal conversation and thoughts and isn't it grand to watch a daughter grow?