Happy 12th Birthday, Lauren!

On April 16, 2000, the sun shined brighter

and the world was a better place to be

because you were born.

{Photography by Diana Bobrycki}

I don’t know how it happened so fast. Just yesterday you were three with platinum blonde hair holding your pinwheel that you called your “twirly bird” out of my car window. Just yesterday you sang to the top of your lungs from my backseat, asked a million questions a minute and talked faster than even your Aunt Ginger.

Now you’re twelve. And although a birthday photo shoot wasn’t needed to prove it, you’re so beautiful! Your personality shines right through your pictures. I couldn’t be more proud. You are so much more than a niece to me. You hold a very special place in my heart and always have.

                       

I know you’re no longer the little girl who would keep climbing back in bed with me no matter how many times I pried your sleeping body from underneath my side. You know, that wasn’t just because you would grind your teeth. Okay, maybe a little. But as much as I loved you snuggling right next to me, ultimately I knew you couldn’t stay there forever.

You’re growing up quickly. You still have a place right next to me where you can always come and snuggle. Always. Only now you’re a brave and strong young lady who knows that if you stay that close to Christ you can conquer anything that comes your way.

       

Sometimes you remind me of Poppy—you make life look easy even when it’s not. You still have song in you to sing. So belt it out like no one is around. Keep chasing lizards. And never think for one second that you are too old to hold a “twirly bird” out the car window.

Keep on smiling and shining as bright as those blue eyes.

It’s only natural that I should feel this way about you for you hold a

very special place in my heart {Philippians 1:7}.

Happy Birthday, Lauren!

I love you more than my ear plugs that drown out teeth grinding.

Nanny