On July 14, thirty-six years ago, my life was changed forever. One look at your beautiful little face and I was filled with such intense feelings of love, protectiveness, and joy that I never before believed existed outside of an author’s written words.

You never looked like a newborn with your perfectly shaped head, pink skin,and plump little body. The nurses all exclaimed how they had rarely seen a more beautiful baby…our daughter! Holding you, I was suddenly hit with the realization that your Daddy and I were now responsible for taking total care of this perfect little human. Knowing your very life was dependent upon our actions…our ability to provide the foods you needed to grow properly; to know how to care for you if you were sick or hurt; to protect you from the evils of this world; and to shape you into the person you were meant to become; was at once terrifying and thrilling. Somehow we managed not to mess you up and I have loved watching you grow and mature into a person whose beauty shines from both the inside and out. You are compassionate and caring, loving and kind, the best friend anyone could ever ask for, a wonderful mommy, and the most incredible daughter I could ever imagine having. I hope you always know how proud I am to be your mother.

Thank you for giving me such an amazing grandson to love on. For sharing him with me and allowing me to be such a big part of your lives. I have so many wonderful memories of our adventures and look forward to many more. Thank you for being someone I can always count on, someone I know I can always talk to, someone who has become a friend as well as a daughter. Pops and I love you to Jesus’s feet and back and we hope you’ve had a wonderful day! I pray that the coming year is filled with as much joy as you’ve given me! No matter how old you are, you will always be “Mommy’s Little Pooh Bear” and I love you infinity, my Wendi!