Love Letter

Dearest Rachel:

I see you asleep in your room and can scarcely believe that tomorrow, you will begin a new chapter of your life. How is is that five and a half years have passed since I heard you take your first cries of life and I was proud and terrified to be a father for the first time?

I was able to overcome the fears of your fragility. I watched with pride as you took your first steps while I just happened to be videotaping it. Mom and I worried about how you'd make the transition to preschool, only to see you dive right in and never look back. We prayed you would emerge healthy from tonsil surgery, only to hear you screaming halfway down the hall while you were in recovery.

We laughed as you told your class of 2-year-olds that your favorite food was chicken alfredo, while your classmates offered more pedestrian alternatives like crackers and juice. We blanched when you loudly exclaimed, "That lady is a loser!" as you and mom walked past a smoker at Discover Mills. We marvelled as you recognized more and more words and counted to one hundred by fives.

Now, as you sleep under the pink canopy of your bedroom, we gaze at your chest as you gently inhale and exhale. We embrace you with our hearts, even when we are miles away physically.

We can't wait to celebrate your new knowledge, rejoice as you make new friends and cheer you as you deal with new challenges and achieve new accomplishments. You will always be our little girl, even twenty years from now.

We love you more than we ever thought we could love anyone. You are growing up so fast and we can't wait to spend the rest of our lives with you. You have brought so much joy to our lives; thanks for the blessing that is you.

Love,

Mom and Dad