When you demanded your shoes "TIGHTER!" and I had callouses on my fingers, I loved you.
When you fell asleep on my shoulder because you refused to walk anywhere until you were at least 6, I loved you.
When you denied eating chocolate covered pretzels for breakfast with melted chocolate all over your face, I loved you.
When you asked me if you could have "banilla" ice cream for "berzert", I loved you.
When you batted those brown eyes and couldn't be denied anything you wanted, I loved you.
When you hit your teenage years and rolled those brown eyes and stomped your feet, I loved you.
When you found that very last nerve and kicked it, I loved you.
When you scared me to death learning to drive, I loved you.
When you grew up overnight (it felt like) and it was so very hard not to treat you like a kid, I loved you.
When you went to your 8th grade formal all pretty and grown up, I loved you.
When you walked across the stage and proudly accepted your diploma, I loved you.
When you were hurting and we all said things we regret, I still loved you.
I have always loved you, more than you could ever imagine in a million, trillion, gazillion years. I have never stopped and since it's been this long, I can't really see any chance of me stopping anytime soon. I don't know if there will ever be a day that you will fully understand what it is like to love a child, not because they are yours, but because they came to you as a gift with all the baggage, joy, laughter, tears, worry, smiles, triumphs and heartache that comes with them. I can only tell you that through all these years, I wouldn't change you for all the stars in the sky.
♥ Happy Birthday Brittany Renee! ♥
Love you tons and miss you more,
Me
