Dear Nate,
Today, you are three years and three days old. We celebrated your birthday with cupcakes with sprinkles, presents decorated with Thomas the Train, toy cars, and a coonskin cap. You decided that you loved your “apday,” and secretly, we all did too.
In honor of you turning three (it’s still hard to believe!), I made a list of three—plus three plus three—things I love about you.
- I love your giggles. Whenever I tickle that magic spot right under your chin, you collapse into a ball of giggles, completely breathless and at my mercy. I think I’m happiest watching you laugh.
- I love watching you learn to do things on your own. The day you learned to feed yourself should have been a national holiday. And then—you learned to put your sandals on the right feet! It was a miracle, I tell you. I knew you were destined to conquer cancer or discover a new planet.
- I love your red hair. I prayed for a red-haired baby, and it was a perfect surprise when you were born. I’m not the only one who loves it—women literally stop what they’re doing and follow us to ask about your hair. You insist that it’s orange, and as usual, you’re right.
- I love celebrating holidays with you. Everything is unknown and undiscovered. You have no idea that the Fourth of July means noisy fireworks or that Valentine’s Day brings cards and chocolates. Christmas is weeks of decorations and your birthday is just as fun.
- I love creating with and for you. Modernistic Nate paintings are my favorite home decor item and you love making them with me, even if it means wearing a precautionary flowery apron. I laugh when I see your mind exploding with the thought “Mom just gave me a whole pile of red paint!”
- I love how much you love your family. Even though they all live in different states, their names are a part of your daily play. You can’t wait to see them: every plane goes to see Nana and every toy car ride is to see Grandma.
- I love how much you love books. I hoped it was hereditary, and so far, it has been. Often, I’ll head upstairs after realizing it’s been too quiet too long and find you with a pile of Richard Scarry and Curious George books. An hour later, you’re still happily turning pages and telling me about the funny cars and pigs.
- I love watching you play. Whether it’s lining up all your train tracks across your room or racing your cars down the stair rail, you find fun all around you. Play is a gift and you’re a champion at it.
- I love sneaking upstairs after your bedtime and watching you sleep. After a day of watching you play and jump off of furniture, the contrast of your limp, peaceful body is mesmerizing. When I gently nudge you away from the edge of the bed, you often smile peacefully and say, “Thank you for dinner.”
These things are just a preview of what I love about you. We are a small family, but you make us whole, little boy. What I love about you most is that you make every day a joy. So happy birthday, Nate. You’re our very best treasure.
Love,
Mommy