Birthdays.

Happy 16th birthday, Amanda!

At 1:37 a.m. 16 years ago, I looked at your precious baby face for the first time. 

I was changed forever.

I can still remember the feel of you in my arms, the smell of your sweet baby head, and the way that you looked at me with your big brown eyes, like you were memorizing my face the same way I was memorizing yours. 

3 days in the hospital, with you every single second, as if that would make up for all the future days that I wouldn't be. Those precious moments with you have given me the strength to keep going and have given me something to hold on to for these long years...now passing so fast.

It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that you are almost grown up...

This morning was the first in 16 years that I didn't wake up at the exact minute that you entered this world.  But you were my first thought when I opened my eyes. 

I hope that you have an amazing birthday. I wish I was there! Know that my thoughts are with you this day, and all days.......