A Letter of Love to My Firstborn…

Today, you are 14.  A beautiful girl, fighting all of today’s teen struggles; bombarded with temptation and trial, yet strong in your character and relationship with Christ. I’m so proud of you.

I remember the day you were born. There were so many people there to welcome you! They waited outside the doors, ears pressed and cameras in hand.

…4 weeks premature, with complications and wires and breathing tubes and IVs, they didn’t let me hold you. I was devastated. This is how I saw and touched you for the first few days.

I’ll never forget thinking…they know how to care for my baby much better than I do. I will trust God and the NICU staff to do what only they can do. When we received the call that you were ready to come home, we got dressed and ran out the door to get our precious one.

You were the princess of the family. Not only the first girl, but the first born on both sides of the family. You have always been so much fun.

I had the privilege of being your Kindergarten teacher. And although you will never let me live down the day I sent you to the Principal’s office, I think you know you had it comin’!

You grew to trust Jesus as your Savior and have leaned on Him through everything life has thrown you. I’m so proud of the passion you have for sharing Christ with others.

We’ve been through a lot together. The pain and forced changes of a broken marriage, the meeting and joining together of a new step-dad and new brothers and sisters,

years of shopping trips, and hugs, and talks…and the developing of a bond that we share, and that I cherish.

Thank you for being who you are…such a heart for the needy; a passion for the lost; someone who values family and morals and quality time with people you care about.

I love who you are, and I love that I have the awesome privilege of being your Mom.

I love you, Lauren…Happy Birthday!!!