today is my firstborn’s fourth birthday. it feels like a big one. she’s the first person to hear my heartbeat from the inside & the first pair of eyes I looked into that instantly saw mine. I’ve always thought eyes can communicate more than words can & I felt the promise of a thousand stories + an untethered love when I first saw those blue eyes. she met a different mom than I am today because she’s encouraged that. I’ve learned right alongside her— my world became completely new and was never more beautiful. joy has followed her since she first smiled. her laughter is my favorite sound & her words bring such sweetness. she’s stunning & I find myself just staring at her discovering life in awe. she’s the gift my 22 year old self held shakily, but tenderly— terrified to break, but ultimately tried (& still tries) to offer heavenwards anyways. thank you Jesus for the life of my Aspen girl; she’s a treasure & I adore her.