Her 18th Birthday

When The Girl was born, the midwife said she had a "special presence". We knew we had a treasure of a little girl; sweet and sensitive, smart and competitive. I tried to hang onto my little girl as long as I could...Well, it came and went.....the birthday that was supposed to make an adult of her in a sudden, magical way, and guess what? She's the same special girl though maybe a bit more aware of how time is passing and how really big changes are yet to come. She is not afraid of the future, she's had a secure and loving past. I was so proud of how she chose to celebrate - she included me in a trip to donate blood, then we had a great lunch together, chatting as buddies. What an awesome way to say thank you for the gift of a healthy life for 18 years - I couldn't have been prouder of her!  Friends and family helped us celebrate in the evening and all of them expressed love for our smart, beautiful girl.
Growing up way too fast...