Our dearest Sami,
9! 9!!! I know how excited you are for this new number (you never liked the number 8 -- "too perfect"). Your last single digit! My last year with you as more of a little girl than a tween!
My heart aches when I think about how quickly time is moving away from me, how it seems like just yesterday you wiggled your way into my heart with your usual resolve and determination.
You are pure joy and delight, with a profound understanding of who you are and how you fit into this crazy world. It is the greatest privilege to be able to witness your life unfolding from where I'm sitting. I have no doubt that your future holds magnificent things for you, and I am honored to be here, waiting in the wings, whenever and however you may need me.
Your current LOVES:
OUR CHICKENS!, gelato, making your own slime, watching youtube videos on your tablet, watching tv and movies all together (current favorite: all 11 films of the Star Wars saga, Fuller House, anything by Miyazaki), family and friends, cuddles, rollerblading, climbing on the monkey bars, riding your bike, playing (especially outside) with your sister, bugging your sister and purposely making her mad, being read to, candy, gyoza, presents, money, going to school (most days), snow days, onesie pajamas, and making people laugh.
Your current HATES:
HOMEWORK, when any of us fight, when anyone is mad at you, when you get in trouble, not having enough time to relax with tv/movie time before bed, having to stop doing something you're intensely in the middle of doing, covid, when your sister won't pay attention to you, when your sister picks up the chickens before you, Trump, when anyone doesn't wait for you, being told what to do, seeing people crying, being made to hurry.
Sami, I know this is yet another weird birthday, and I know you are missing birthday parties and laughing freely with your friends and seeing your American family, and so I hope we are able at least to give you the best possible covidbirthday that we can. You deserve all the balloons and gelato cake and presents and sunshine in the universe. I hope you know how much you are loved, and I hope there will never come a day when you doubt your value in this world.
Happy birthday to our sweet, quick-witted, clever, cheeky, kind, generous, creative, bright, firecracker of a baby girl. The world is your oyster 💓
I love you Pookie,
Mommy
