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Today You Are TEN

2017 April 9
by WWGD

 

Today you are ten.

Double digits, as they say. A whole new chapter. I think it may be your best one yet.

Today you are friendship bracelets and cartooning and Harry Potter.

Today you are chewing gum and Converse and sleepovers with your friends.

Today you are a few inches taller than you were last year, with no signs of slowing down. You are the same height as one of my good friends, so I justify it when I let you ride in the front seat…she drives a car, after all.

Today you are still a really great big sister. The divide between you and your brother is widening a little with every passing year, but you’re still best friends and he still makes you laugh like no one else. When I tell you to look out for him, you roll your eyes just a little and grab his hand.

Today you are still a voracious reader. Everywhere, all the time, anything. But Harry Potter, in particular.

Today you are important questions and thoughtful conversations and I do my best to keep up with every single one because I know they are going to stick with you forever. These are the days. The ones that count.

Today you are a skateboarder and a swimmer but most of all, an artist. You go to art class every week and lose yourself in canvas and paint and splattered aprons. You often carry a sketchbook and pencil case with you, just in case. You want to start a YouTube channel with step-by-step videos on cartooning. We shot the first episode already.

Today you are kind. You are empathetic and thoughtful. And now you’re old enough to really know what those things mean. How valuable they truly are. How they make up the character that will make you who you are forever.

Today you are in between. Some days, it’s toys and stuffies. Other days, it’s closed doors and headphones. It’s such an interesting place to be…for all of us.

Today you are still turquoise and always ponytails, but now you like to do them yourself. Some days, it works. Some days, it doesn’t.

Today you are 71.5 lbs, give or take. You discovered steak this year. The good kind. And you’re slowly opening up your repertoire beyond butter pasta and bread…but just a little bit beyond it. You had your first taste of soda a few months ago, a San Pellegrino Limonata, and we convinced you that Italians do it best. Because they do.

Today you are long legs and more freckles with every sun-filled afternoon and bushy eye brows that you will learn to appreciate in another ten years or so. You are asking about make up, but from afar. Sitting on the edge of the tub, watching as I put a little on here and there. Telling people your mom only wears lipstick on “special occasions.” I have a feeling you’re going to grow up to do the same.

Today you asked for chocolate cake with turquoise frosting and confetti decor. You got it.

Today you are ten. We are ten together. Me as a mom and you as you. The most perfect you I could have ever imagined. Ten years ago, today, and forever more.

Happy birthday, D. xx

5 Responses
  1. Jane Kennedy permalink
    April 9, 2017

    Lovely and loving!

    • WWGD permalink*
      April 9, 2017

      Thank you! xx

  2. kristyn permalink
    April 9, 2017

    Such a beautiful tribute to your daughter. I had goosebumps!

    • WWGD permalink*
      April 9, 2017

      Thank you! xx

  3. Erin permalink
    April 10, 2017

    So thoughtful and nicely written. Happy 10. 🙂

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