Saturday, February 14, 2009

My sweet 16 Valentine!!












































I've thought for several weeks on just what to say to you today.


I'm not eloquent but oh how I'd give anything to write you a beautiful letter. I'm not a song writer but how I'd love to pen you a wonderful melody. But I'll try to just write from my heart...


I know I've told you how i talked about having a little girl named Savannah before I was ever even married. Your due date was February 28th...however I hoped & I even think I boasted you'd be born in Valentines Day. After all, how sweet & perfect would that be. Went into labor on friday evening, February 12....labored all day the 13th...starting pushing at 10pm that night. I remember grumbling ( labor can make even the most cheerful woman somewhat irritable) that I was bummed we'd miss the valentines day birthday by just a few short hours. I've actually had someone ask, did I 'hold you in'--must have been a man--but sure enough, you were born Sunday February 14th 33 minutes past midnight--my most favorite valentines day gift ever.


Years ago it seemed like it was just you and me carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders. I never intended for you to grow up so fast, but you did. When daddy Gregg passed away you were 3 1/2 years old. I'm sure its hard for you to believe this , but I feel like you were years more mature than just a preschooler. You tried so hard to be a big girl; to be my helper & my best little friend. I wanted to be a great mommy to you ....for you to feel safe & for you to be a little girl blissfully unaware of sickness and death. But you were not, sadly you had watched that day when daddy took off his ball cap & gently shook out the remainder of his hair into the front yard. You sat sweetly on his lap in that dreadful hospital bed & tearfully loved on him just days before he passed. You told me on your fourth birthday that you didn't want a party if daddy couldn't be there.



When I started spending time with dad ( who would become your new dad) you knew he was a safe friend. How he loved to sit on the floor with you for hours on end being Demitri while you played Anastasia. He colored with you & you read to him ( you were an early reader!).
When I told you we were going to marry daddy you so sweetly & so gently hugged me and said you'd always miss daddy but you were happy that you would have a new daddy. Your blessing meant the world to me.


This weekend you turn 16 years old. I am just as proud of you now as I was when you were that strong 3 1/2 year old little girl....what seems like a lifetime ago. I guess in many ways it has been a lifetime, hasn't it baby girl?


There isn't a day that goes by that I am not busting at the seems proud to be your mom.

You are strong,

you are independent,

you have such a fabulous sense of humor,

you are smart as a wiz

--top 6% in your class of 700--,

a varsity athlete,

a christian leader,

best friend to so many,

a gorgeous gorgeous brown eyed girl

& a wonderful big sissy.

I see little girls look up to & admire you. I watch as friends want to include you in everything. I see boys look at you & smile. I see your poppi light up each time you come into the room.


A couple of years ago, Randy, your youth leader, wanted you to speak in front of hundreds of teenagers. We've always loved Randy & thought he walked on water. I'll never forget the precious look on your face when he introduced you as 'one of his most favorite people in the world'. Actually, I think you are a few folks favorite person in the world.


Sweet girl, the future is yours to dream those big dreams. I know you can be anything you set your heart to. You can accomplish what ever dream is starting to blossom in your soul. I will be here, cheering you on. Telling everyone how proud I am to be Savannah's mom.


I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is
while you're in the world
(elton john)



Happy Birthday my Valentines Day baby girl
XO

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Such BEAUTIFUL words!
Happy Birthday to your BEAUTIFUL daughter.

Jennifer said...

Making me cry again.....she looks A LOT like her mom....

cathypentonatelier said...

oh sweetest friend you write so, so beautifully!!!! I have tears rolling down my face...You both sound incredibly lucky to have each other in your lives...Happy birthday pretty girl....From your Aussie friends xxxx

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to a gorgeous girl. 16 is fun, so fun.

I feel so blessed to come to this blog daily and get a dose of this beautiful family.

Happy Valentines Day!

Shawn Seay said...

Tears.....again. Paige you are so wonderful with your words. My 14 year old and her friends are getting ready for their Valentine dance. I got on here to get some photo ideas from you.... I remembered that you had some great shots back during prom maybe. The girls wanted to know what was wrong when they noticed tears. Thanks again for letting me get a blessing from your words.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Such a beautiful post for your beautiful girl....Happy Sweet Sixteen!!

Loved all the pictures.....she is gorgeous, inside and out:)

Lisa

sugar said...

Happy Birthday! to BOTH of you!

Cori said...

Beautiful, beautiful word about your girl!! Your blog really is a blessing!!

Jen Kershner said...

You brought me to tears this morning Paige! Happy Birthday to your gorgeous girl.

whoopsadasie said...

Beautifully written for a beautiful girl! Happy belated birthday!

Jennifer said...

Just beautiful...Beautiful story, beautiful girl, beautiful mom.

Wendy said...

You say you are not eloquent...oh but I disagree. Simply beautiful! Happy birthday to Savannah!

3 Peanuts said...

You ARE so eloquent...this is BEAUTIFUL. Paige she gets her beauty (inner and outer) from you. It is clear. Happy B-day to Savannah!

Jeanne Oliver said...

What a beautiful tribute to your daughter! To raise a child up to serve the Lord with a heart like your Savannah is no easy task today. She is beautiful like her mother and her heart is tender like yours too. Happy Belated Birthday Savannah! I know the Lord is going to do great things with your life and your willingness to serve him!

Anonymous said...

Very touching and sweet. I know my 7 yr old will be having her sweet sixteen practically before I blink!

Kasey said...

How beautifully written Paige.
Such sweet, sweet words.
xo

Jboo said...

Beautiful post to your lovely 16-year old!! Hope her birthday was magical!

Janet

southernjoy said...

wiping tears from my eyes...

how beautiful!

Maisy said...

Thanks sooo much for stopping by my blog. I occasionally have a fab idea. I can't tell you how often I had to go to the bathroom today :)

When my step-daughter turned 16 it was also very memorable and precious. I can't imagine what that's like when they are your very own.

You are such a sweet mother. That was a precious post. Just lovely.

Again...thanks for stopping by!!

melissa said...

What a beautiful post, Paige. I have tears in my eyes! Not having a daughter is so hard for me (I do love my boys more than life!) - and I love seeing special mother daughter relationships. Happy belated bday to Savannah, SHe is absolutely gorgeous!

melisssa

Jennifer Paganelli said...

What a lovely tribute to a beautiful daughterxoxo Jennifer

Jennifer Paganelli said...

What a lovely tribute to a beautiful daughterxoxo Jennifer