Dearest Daughter,
This weekend you asked me quite the question: Are younger or older children more fun?
It reminded me of when Laura Ingalls in Little House In the Big Woods wonders if Pa likes brown or golden hair best.
Such a question. Both are wonderful, both fill this mother's heart with love and it's impossible to say. What I can say is what's fun about you, at age 18 in your first semester of college.
I love that you call me and want to spend time together.
I like that we have deeper conversations and share meaningful things at this stage.
It's a bit of a relief that you make more of your own decisions now. I can relax and breathe knowing you've got this!
It's awesome that you're learning new things and teaching us a thing or two.
It's fun that we share a similar sense of humor and can laugh and joke together.
It's exhilarating to follow you into a store for younger people and buy a pair of jeans that are hip!
It touches me that you're becoming a friend and mentor to your siblings.
It touches me that you're becoming a friend and mentor to your siblings.
It makes me happy to see you following God. I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4
I delight in seeing who you're becoming, hearing about how you enjoy your major, and discovering more about who you are.
You see my girl, the answer to your question isn't a simple one. Children of all ages are fun. But you...I love you just the way you are right now, and the way you were yesterday, and the way you'll be tomorrow. Because I love you, at any age.
*Tear* Thanks for sharing Marie. I write letters to my son already. Gets me choked up every time. He is already growing up WAY too fast.
ReplyDeleteLauren
Glad you enjoyed it. I'm sure your letters will be very special to keep and read!
DeleteAww!! This is so sweet. Your daughter is gorgeous. I hope you guys are having a great day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leslie!
DeleteSo sweet! I am determined to enjoy each sweet stage with my little girl. My blog is actually centered around writing letters to her. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mandy! I checked out your blog and that's such a cute idea! :)
DeleteYou made me tear up over here. :) What a sweet, sweet letter to your daughter! I'm glad your relationship is continuing to grow....She is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chelsea!
DeleteThis is beautiful, Marie! Your daughter is blessed to have a you for her mother. Thank you for sharing this with us and for linking up at the #shinebloghop.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Heather! I enjoyed visiting your blog, too!
DeleteI cry once every 17 months of blog reading. That's ... dozens of posts. This had me. I knew it would the moment I saw the picture. Being a parent is hard. So hard. And worrisome, and often the immediate reward isn't anywhere in sight. But it's when you get to step back and assess this person your child has become ... it humbles you and rouses your pride more than anything in this world can.
ReplyDeleteYou really nailed it. As a mom and a writer.
Thanks so much! It's really neat to see the ways your child grows and changes over the years. Parenting brings out so many emotions!
DeleteThis is lovely. With three girls in my house of all different ages and stages I too find there is joy and fun in all the ages!
ReplyDeleteVery true, Jennifer!
DeleteSo beautiful - you made me cry. I feel the same way - I love them at all the ages. Just wish I could slow it down a little bit!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Lana!
DeleteWhat a beautiful letter! I like the idea of writing letters to kids. My mom writes letters to me and my siblings quite often. I've kept quite a few of them, and it helps me remember the stage of life I was in at the time.
ReplyDeleteThat's really neat! I bet they're so special to go back and read!
DeleteSo beautiful, Marie . . . I can only imagine how loved your daughter must feel after reading this.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
Thanks, Suzanne! I think she enjoyed it! :)
DeleteThis is precious, Marie. Thank you so much for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Dee!
DeleteMarie,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful answer to your daughter's question. I have three kids, and they are at various stages in life. I find that I can relate and enjoy my oldest the most, but I know I'll miss the young stage my daughter is in all to soon.
I'm glad that you and your daughter are so close. May you always maintain that relationship.
-Crystal
I hope we do, Crystal! It's a great blessing to be close to your kids!
DeleteI love this. My oldest is only five but as her and I went on a walk together this morning I thought about how even though maybe I missed the little baby and toddler she was there are so many things I loved her five year old self. I think you say it perfectly how we love who they were yesterday, who they are now, and who they'll be tomorrow. Watching them grow and become their own person really is the best experience.
ReplyDeleteVery true, Angela! They're always growing and changing and amazing us!
DeleteThanks for sharing this lovely letter to your daughter...
ReplyDeleteI write to my daughters every week while they're away at university to let them know that they are always loved. And yes, it's fabulous to watch them grow and turn into completely awesome young adults! You have every right to be proud of your daughter x
Thanks, Izzie! How special that you write them every week. That's something for them to treasure!
DeleteSuch a sweet letter! My girls are 6 and 8, and I have enjoyed these ages so much. Can't imagine them being 18!
ReplyDeleteThose are fun ages! Enjoy! :)
DeleteThanks for getting me all sniffly. :) I'm so glad you have such a good relationship with your daughter. Such a sweet post. Reminds me that I need to write in my girls' journals while they're napping! I try to write to them every so often and will give it to them probably when they're around 16 or 18 -- haven't decided yet! It will be here before I know it though! Boo hoo!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I'm sure they'll love looking back and reading them!
DeleteMy daughter is fourteen. I should write a letter like this (of course in relation to her).
ReplyDeleteI think she'd enjoy it, for sure!
DeleteAh this is so beautiful. I agree that there really are pros and cons to both. I love the stage my children are at now but I equally hanker after those bygone days of babies and toddlers - where's the cuteness gone?! Lovely post. x
ReplyDeleteSo true, Suzanne! If I see pictures of any age, I get hit with a longing for them one more time! ;)
DeleteWhat a difficult question indeed and not one I could answer simply either. I think children are always most fun at the stage they are at, whatever that is!
ReplyDeleteI agree! :)
DeleteSuch a lovely, lovely post.
ReplyDeleteI am new to your blog, stopping by from #allaboutyou
Loved this post x
Ahhh what a beautifully written post as always. WOW what a question to answer. That must have been tough to think of the perfect answer. Pros and cons to both I can imagine. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at the Manic Mondays blog hop! Your post is featured this week! Check it out at http://mommyatozblog.com/Get-Linky/. Thanks for linking up...and hope to see you at this week's hop!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful letter that a daughter will cherish, I know I would. My three year old daughter says to me every single day, "Mom, your my best friend. I love you." I melt every time I hear it I hope and pray that she will always feel that way because I know the time will come when I will not hear those words everyday.
ReplyDelete