It feels like only yesterday the nurse gently laid you in my arms while I sat in that hospital bed. When she told me I had a baby girl the joy that filled my heart that day is greater than words can say. You were what I considered my miracle baby and now here we are years later celebrating your 15th birthday.

I can’t even begin to explain how much I love you. As I think back to all your growing up years. How much I loved holding you when you were a baby and a toddler. I loved reading books to you and watching TV with you. I loved the big bear hugs you gave me. I miss those days. I miss holding you in my arms while you fell asleep. I miss putting bandaids on your cuts, Kissing them bye and letting you know it would be ok.

Watching you grow up has been a joy. Watching you go from a cute little baby to an adorable toddler and then a funny kid to the beautiful teen you have become. I gotta be honest the more I think about it the more I want to cry. The time being your mom has gone by so fast. I love every minute of it (even the moments that we are annoyed with each other), but I wish time could slow down. In case you haven’t noticed I’m struggling with words right now. It isn’t because I don’t have anything to say about you. It’s because coming up with the right words to say about how much you mean to me and how much I love you isn’t easy. I’m beyond proud to have you as my daughter.

It truly has been an amazing journey being your mom. I am so thankful for you. I’ve enjoyed our trips with dad to Ireland, Italy, England and other Countries. I’m looking forward to our adventures in the future. And I look forward to seeing what God does for you this year and in the years to come. I LOVE YOU MY SWEET, AWESOME, BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER!

Kathleen Smith is an indie Author, blogger and she has her own podcast Kathleen’s Korner. You can read or listen about her life in Brooklyn and Upstate NY . You can also either read or listen to her personal story of how she and her husband kept their marriage together through 3 miscarriages in Miscarriages My Story