5/3/2016

Our Dearest Savannah

Today is your 16^th Birthday and your Dad and I wanted to take a few minutes to remind you what an amazing young woman you are.  We are in awe of how much we have experienced together as a family and how much you have changed our lives in these very fast 16 years.

While you are on the brink of adulthood today, we wanted to take a few minutes to look back and remind you of all the things we treasure about you.

We remember how surprised we were when we learned we were pregnant with you and all the wonders and worries of becoming first time parents.  We remember the night you were born and how chaotic things seemed for a minute as we wanted to make sure you arrived safely. 

I remember when I finally got to hold you for the first time and truly be alone with you.  You opened your eyes and looked into my soul and I knew you were probably one of the wisest people I had ever met.  On that night 16 years ago you gave us the new titles of Mom and Dad and we had never been so happy and so scared all at the same time.

By day you were an absolute joy as a baby with your perfect round, bald head, big brown eyes and sweet chubby cheeks.  I remember it taking forever to go to the store or run errands for all the people who would stop to greet you. 

By night you made sure your Dad knew who was now in charge as he walked around our little apartment endlessly trying to get you to stop crying.  Turns out you just loved to cuddle and cuddle we did for nearly two years until you finally made it to your own bed.

As a toddler you were so precocious and sweet.  You engaged with anyone and everyone that came your way.  You looked at everything with wonder and curiosity and you made everyone around you feel loved. 

By age three you had discovered music and had a natural rhythm and would dance pretty much anywhere and everywhere you could. 

You became a big sister for the first time and I could not have asked for a gentler, sweeter child for us to enjoy our new baby with.  You never complained and were always helpful and kind to her.  Shelby adored you from day one and while there are days at the moment that may not feel like it, that bond is forever and I know will carry you two in the future.

In the first grade you had discovered fashion and were always so complimentary to others.  I remember adults commenting, “Well if Savannah liked it, I must be looking pretty good today.”

Then after years of turning pages, you fell in love with books.  Your talent for reading was like nothing we had ever seen.  You could not read them fast enough yet knew every detail there was to enjoy on each page.  We envy this skill of yours and truly believe it will take you far in life.

Not long after you became a big sister once more and took everything in stride.  During a time that was filled with so many emotions for our family you continued being your sweet self, even as you navigated your own challenges.  Sydney truly looks up to you and we treasure the moments we see you taking care of her.

Above all this, what we love about you Savannah is that you are so smart and witty, you are sympathetic and caring, you are a daydreamer with a huge imagination and a hopeless romantic.  We are so proud of how brave you are when you take the stage and own each character you play. 

We think you are growing up into a wonderful young woman.  We are so proud to say we are your parents.  Yes we would like you to clean up your room and help around the house more but at the end of the day we know you are a good kid who means well.

These preteen and early teen years have had some highs and a few lows but you are always open to learning from your mistakes.  You keep an open mind and an open heart and listen to what we have to say.

In the blink of an eye you will be making decisions about your future and whichever road you choose and wherever your path may take you, always know that we will be here for you.  No matter what you will always be our baby.  We love you more than we can ever explain and can’t wait to see what the future holds. 

Happy 16^th Birthday Savannah

We love you!

Mom and Dad