Letters to My Daughters | July Birthday Edition

July is birthday month for all of the ladies in the Sevel household. First with my birthday at the beginning of the month and then both girls at the end...one week apart exactly. So this month, two letters. Today the first one...

Dear Natalie,

My sweet girl...Happy 8th Birthday!!!! I can't even wrap my mind around it. You came into our lives eight years ago and we were blessed with an amazing gift, you. At eight, your sweet, spunky and giggly personality is infectious. Your smile can light up a whole room.You are so incredibly mature for your age. Not many eight year old girls are so passionate and compassionate. You are passionate about the all the things you do. We see it in the way you dance. Your ability to show compassion is also out of the ordinary at your age. I'm so proud of you for always being a good friend and standing up for what is right, even when it might be extremely difficult to do so. Your patience with your little sister is equally admirable. Sometimes she can be difficult and because she looks up to you so much, she can be especially difficult toward you. I understand the level of patience that you must find when she begins to push your buttons...and she can push hard. Thank you for always trying with her and I do understand why you give up sometimes. You are also so good to your brother...most of the time. The way you affectionately call him "Joshie" when you want to share something with him melts my heart. You two have a special relationship that I know will continue to grow and get stronger in the years to come. Daddy and I are so proud of the young lady that you are becoming. We are looking forward to all of the cool things that you will do. There are no limits and you can do anything that you put your mind to. I don't have to even tell you that, because it is clear that you already know.

Here you are reading the book that I used to read to you when you were a baby...

"On the night you were born,
the moon shone with such wonder
that the stars peeked in
to see you
and the night wind whispered,
'Life will never be the same.'

Because there had never been
anyone like you...
ever in the world."

I'm the luckiest mom in the whole wide world. Do you know why? Because I get to be your mom.

Love,
Mom