I have been writing to you since the day I learned I was pregnant. I have an entire journal documenting every single day of my pregnancy with you. When you were born I wrote you a letter on your birthday from my hospital bed. Last year I did the same thing. Writing is what I do and it is my way of documenting my life and legacy. You are a part of my legacy. So today I am following tradition and writing you a letter on what is and always will be the most important day of my life. Today is your birthday. After 41 weeks of pregnancy you entered the world on July 27, 2012 at 10:21 am. Just like today, it was a beautiful summer day complete with blue skies and 87 degree temperature. The second I held you in my arms I knew you were the reason for my existence. As I think back to that day I wonder how I ever lived a life without you.

Today, as we celebrate your third birthday I am grateful for your life. You have taught me more about love and happiness than anything in my years before you. You are kind, loving, smart, funny, and so amazingly affectionate. My heart swells from the amount of love that it holds for you. There are times when I’m in the kitchen washing dishes or just lying in bed when you come over to me and hug me.  If I am sitting down you walk over, grab my face in your hands and tell me you love me and kiss me. It is in those moments when my heart completely melts and I sit in awe questioning how I could have given birth to such a wonderful little girl.

These past three years have been nothing short of incredible. With every milestone, I grow more and more proud of you. You continuously surprise me with the things you do and say. You are extremely witty and have the most beautiful laugh I have ever heard. Sometimes I wonder if you’re too smart for your age or if I’m just biased. You’re such a happy little girl. I pray that you always keep happiness in your heart.

You get excited at the simplest things like playing in the backyard with your father or going over to your titi and tio’s house and playing with your cousins. On the days when I feel exceptionally tired or my body is aching from carrying your sister you thoughtfully offer me a pillow and ask if you can massage my back. You are in a word, special. You are helpful and enjoy assisting me in cleaning the dining room table, folding clothes, sweeping, and feeding yourself. You have recently learned to use the potty and get excited every time you successfully go to the bathroom to handle your business .You even congratulate me and tell me how proud you are of me, whenever I go too. 

I think about all that you are and I smile. I smile because I know that despite my many flaws and my many mistakes you are the one thing I got right. At 3 years old you are developing into a kind, confident, independent, and thoughtful little girl. You love reading, doing puzzles, and dancing. You enjoy playing with other kids, but are as equally comfortable playing alone. I don’t know if you will ever know how much daddy and I love you, but we will spend every single day of your life showing you.

As you begin this next year of life I pray that God continues to guide and protect you. I pray that you are always safe, healthy, and happy. I promise to always be right by your side to praise, comfort, nurture, and take care of you. For as long as you live and in the afterlife you will never have to wonder or doubt my love for you. You are me and I am you. I love you even more than I love myself. Happy 3^rd birthday princess.