Eight

I am already crying. It happens every year. Your birthday rolls around and I start to cry. This year, you are eight. I swear we were celebrating your 7th birthday yesterday.....but we were not. 365 days have passed and now you are 8! EIGHT!!!

Today and every day you should know how much I love you. 

At eight years old, you are caught between child and tween. You are not little anymore but you are not big either. You sing songs to Kids Bop and yet write letters to the Dream Fairies because you are believer. 

You are a BELIEVER.

You believe in greatness. 

You believe in honesty. 

You believe in perseverance. 

You believe in family. 

You believe in G-d. 

We are so lucky to be your parents. This year has been phenomenal. You believed in yourself, you trusted our advice, you held your head high, and you showed the world exactly who you are. You are intelligent, funny, athletic, passionate, and most importantly - kind.

I hear your kindness when you tell me about a friend from school. 

I hear your kindness when you tell me about your teacher and how others treated her.

I hear your kindness when you talk to me about our family. 

I hear your kindness when you offer help to anyone in need. 

I hear your kindness when you talk to me about your concerns.

I hear your kindness when you give a "pep talk" to a friend or your sister.

I hear your kindness when you pray.

I see your kindness when you invite everyone you know because no one should feel left out. 

I see your kindness when you ask if we can give food to the homeless man on the street. 

I see your kindness when you wave hi to a friend at the grocery store. 

I see your kindness when you silently take a step back to let someone else have a chance.

I see your kindness when you decorate cards for our family.

I see your kindness when you take your sister's hand to cross the street.

I feel your kindness in your strong embrace, I feel it when you cry, I feel it when we snuggle.

I know you are not perfect, although you strive to be. 

Your passion gets you in trouble sometimes and those days are tough. 

On your worst day, you are still kind.

We know your future is going to be amazing and I have even come to terms with the fact you will most likely be an Aggie. It is your kindness that will keep you wanting to be a veterinarian. 

The world is a better place because you were born.

Our world is a better a place because you were given to us. Believing that one day G-d will bless you with the child that is the right for you is hard to do, but after eight years I can promise you one thing - You were always a part of us and we were always meant to be.

On this 8th birthday, I hope you never stop believing and never stop being kind. It is these two things that will lead you down your path of greatness. 

Happy Birthday.