Friday December 13th, 1991 – Welcome to the world little girl. You are everything I dreamed of and more. You are tiny and beautiful, with soft little fingers and toes. You look through me and concentrate when I speak to you. You have come into my life at a time when I needed you, and with a whirlwind of emotions. All I know is that I will do everything in my power to love and protect you always. You will never doubt where you stand with me.

December 13th, 1994 – Happy 3rd birthday Lindy. You are the most loving and cheerful child. I love to watch you play, dance, and sing. I love to take you outside and show you new things. You sing with the voice of an older child and with the force of the wind. I have a feeling that music will be a big part of your life. Your big blonde curls bounce when you run, and you love to make everyone smile. You are the apple of your Grammy and Poppy’s eyes.

December 13th, 2000 – Happy 9th birthday my little love. Your fiesty, fun loving attitude shines through in all you do. You are doing so well in school and we are so proud of you. You take on new challenges with excitement in your eyes. So soccer wasn’t your thing, no big deal. We moved on to competitive cheerleading. You look so adorable in your cheer uniform.

December 13th, 2004 – Happy 13th birthday to my new teenager! I know you’ve been through a lot of changes this past year but you’ve handled everything with the grace of a child much older. As we make a new start in Florida, you are learning so much and your inquisitive spirit continues with band, dance team, basketball, and chorus. Your energy amazes me.

December 13th, 2007 – Happy sweet 16 Lindy! How did we get here so fast? Here you are, ready to drive away from me on your own for the first time. As I watch you pull out of the driveway, I realize that you will go out into the world without me and that I won’t always be able to protect you. My heart aches, and I begin to cry.

December 13th, 2010 – Happy birthday to my high school graduate and my college freshman. I miss my little girl, but I am so very proud of all you do.

December 13th, 2014 – Happy birthday Lindy. I miss you, but I understand why you moved back home to West Virginia. It’s in your blood. Your heart pulled you back to your home, and that can’t be denied. Soon you will graduate college and begin a new job. Your college career was nothing short of amazing. You served as a student justice, you sang that solo for the women’s department talent show, you joined a sorority and thrived in it. But the highlight was your trip to France to perform one of the lead roles in a musical about the history of Florida. I always knew your voice would shine and take you places. I never dreamed it would be France, but I am so happy that you had that experience. I think it was life changing for you.

December 13th, 2017 – Happy birthday to my grown, newlywed daughter. Every thing you have accomplished has brought me so much joy. When I met him, I knew he was THE one. I knew because I saw it in both your eyes, and when he told me that if he had to take all your stuff along with you then that’s what he had to do, I knew he loved you like I do. Soon you will begin a new career as a nurse after going back to school. When your first career wasn’t fulfilling enough for you, you grabbed the reigns of your life and you made change out of frustration. I admire you so much.

December 13th, 2020 – And here we are. Happy 29th birthday to my darling daughter. You are and always have been the center of my world. You make me smile and laugh, you make me worry, you challenge me to be better, and you comfort me when you sense that I need it. My little girl is now a best friend and there is nothing sweeter. You are a mama now yourself, and you know how I felt when I held you years ago. You know how overwhelming the love that pours out of you is. You know that nothing matters more than the child you hold close. You guys are going to be incredible parents (you already are). On your birthday, I wish you all the joy and love that you have brought to me just by existing.

Love, Mama