My Dearest Belle:
I can hardly believe that you are ten years old today. I have loved and adored you every day for the last ten years. You are sweet, loving, nurturing, loyal, the first one to ask someone if they are okay or if they need help, generous in spirit, and last but never least, crazy amounts of fun.
When I tucked you in last night, I told you the story of the first few moments after I gave birth to you when they laid you on my chest for the first time. We stared straight into each others eyes which felt like we were staring into each others souls.
That was it for me. I was completely and totally in love, forever connected to you, very much the way we still are today.
For the rest of my life, I will never forget that moment. You had the biggest, bluest eyes I had ever seen and there you were. Finally....after so many ups and downs, there you were, staring back at me. Just as I had imagined so many times during my pregnancy, only the actual moment was so much sweeter.
One thing that I love about you is that no matter how old you get, and no matter where we are or what we are doing, you always check in on me. It's like a toddler when they first gain independence and they start to leave their Mom. They tread lightly and constantly look back to make sure she is still there. Or if they take steps away from her, as soon as they get too far, they turn and immediately run back into her waiting arms.
You always know where I am and if we are home or out together, no more than thirty minutes will ever pass without you coming to make sure I am still there.
I am not sure if this will always be the case with you, but one thing I know for sure, is that my arms will always be waiting for you whenever you may need them.
You are beautiful inside and out, and no matter how many birthday's pass, you will always be my sweet, sweet little Belle.
Love always,
Mama