Dear Piper ~
Let me just stop a moment. You… just stop a moment.
Stop growing up just for now. For a moment or two. Slow down and take your time growing up. Ten candles on your cake this year. An entire decade of Piper and it’s still not enough, it will never be enough. These last ten years have been too short. And I find myself with tears on my cheeks thinking of how fast the next ten will pass.
You are an amazing kid. And not just because your father and I think so, but others do too. Your Coach told me so. Your teacher. Your friends. Your friends parents.
You are an amazing kid.
Today you turn ten. You are exactly the person that you are supposed to be. The girl with a big heart and mad skating skills. The girl who knows hockey, has a sense for the game. The girl who can take a check against the boards and skate away tough as nails. The girl who likes watching kids shows and the Winnipeg Jets game in the click of the remote. The big sister. The first-born. Exactly the person that you are supposed to be.
Ten years ago on this day, I laboured in a hospital in Brandon Manitoba to bring you into this world. You wanted to arrive so early, yet you took your darn time. Ten years ago today, I saw you for the first time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit sleeping. I wanted so badly to hold you but all I could do was put my arm through the opening and rub your back. Ten years ago today, our family began.
You are maturing so fast and growing so quick. You are ready for more independence than I am ready to give you … but we do. While your friends are enjoying two-day sleep overs, we are spending our time together. I hope that you don’t hate that. You don’t complain about much and it has nothing to do with being a helicopter parent but everything to do with the fact that I want to spend as much time with you (and our little family) as I can. Before it’s too late. Before you are in high school and choosing to spend your time at work or with friends. In the big picture of life, we really have just a short time together. So I hope that you know I just love being with you.
And others do to. Like your teachers who get tears in their eyes talking about the amazing kid you are. Like your coaches who say that they wished they had a team full of Pipers. Like your friends who shower you with adoration and little homemade gifts. Even “enemies” on opposing hockey teams seek you out for a fist pump and a hug. You are an amazing kid.
Happiest of Birthdays, Piper. On this… your 10th birthday. You make this life worth it and I love you more than you will ever know.
I am my own Princess.
The Rink is my Ballroom.
My Sweat is my Glitter.
My Skates are my Heels
My Jersey is my Dress.
My Helmet is my Crown.
The Goal is my Date.
