My Birthday Letter To Colette

March 19, 2018

Happy First Birthday Colette!

It is genuinely wild that we are here already, at your first birthday. You went to sleep last night a baby and today you will wake up a one-year-old, a toddler. I’m not sure how I blinked and your baby-ness started getting replaced with little girl features. A sweet button nose, 6 teeth and one little curl on the top of your head.

I can already see it, you coming into your own. You know exactly what you want and you aren’t easily persuaded otherwise. This will serve you well in life. You are strong-willed and don’t you ever let anyone tell you that it is a bad thing. We will help you shape that into leadership, self-motivation and drive. It is something we love about you.

You are full of joy, just like your brother (who, by the way is your favorite person). You have a quirky sense of humor, and like your mama, you can laugh at yourself. There are times you are playing on your own and you just giggle at yourself. Never lose that, little one. In life there will be times where you feel like you’ll just never get it right, keep working and keep laughing. You’ll get it.

You adore stuffed animals like your mama did. Real animals too. You are a very picky eater, when you actually do eat, and we can’t figure out where either of those things came from! You do you, girl! You have no time for this walking business but when you try to, you do a little squat like you’re loading up springs and you try to run. It gives me such a glimpse into how you will pursue life. You wont be one to stand on the sidelines but rather jump up full speed and give it your all.

A few things I want you to know, things that took your mama probably too long to learn. Choose your friends wisely, it’s not as much about quantity but much more about quality. Not everyone who comes into your life will love and respect you like you deserve, weed through and move on. But always be kind. The right choice is not always the easy choice, and in this world most likely not the popular choice. Know what you believe and stand firm in it. This world will try to neutralize and avoid offense at all cost but cling to your purpose. Love others well. Stand up for those who cant stand up for themselves. Be a friend to those without friends. Love YOURSELF well. Love yourself like I, your daddy and your brother do. You’re worth it.

Your body is beautiful and perfect. There are many times people tell me you are so tiny. Know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. No matter what the world tells you, who you are is not defined by what you look like. This body will serve you well, take care of it. Respect it and demand respect for it. Appreciate every little thing about it that is different than others because it makes you uniquely you. Love your body Coco, God made it just for you.

Above all else Colette, love Jesus. Never give up hope. Don’t live in fear. God knit you together and chose you. Serve Him everyday of your life and you will get to heaven and hear “well done, my good and faithful servant.”

You light up our life, Coco-mo. I pray that you grow up with just as much confidence and joy that you have now. I pray that Jesus would fill your heart and His word would fill your mind. I pray that you move mountains and always have a grateful heart. I pray you always know that you are enough.