For Meggy on your 5th Birthday
Meggy,
Every year I sit here writing these letters and ask myself, where does the time go? How did that little baby who screamed day and night, grow into such a beautiful and gentle soul such as you? And yet here we are, and today you are five.
You’ve looked forward to this day for such a long time now, counting down the months, the weeks and the days, deliberating back and forth the presents you would ask for, all of the things that you would do once you were five. And although you may not have got your very own pet unicorn, nor can you run faster than a cheetah, I admire your imagination, your belief that anything is possible, and the fact that, when you opened your presents this morning and discovered you didn’t have a pet unicorn, you told me, “Perhaps it’s just an invisible one!”.
And that’s you all over Meggy, creating the most wonderful and fanciful daydreams, the lines between your games and reality overlapping and blurring at the seams, living in your own little world of make believe. As that years pass by I hold my breath, waiting for you to question the magical tales we tell, to lose the moments where your eyes grow wide and your mouth falls open, waiting for a little scepticism to creep in. And even when Eva rolls her eyes and tells you, “It’s not real Meggy!”, or Harry laughs and says, “It’s only pretend!”, your conviction never falters. And I absolutely love that.
Sometimes it can be difficult for you when your imagination runs away with itself. Like last month, when you sobbed for hours at bedtime, so afraid that one day you would be one hundred. “But I’ll be so big I won’t fit in a house anymore!” you sobbed, “I’ll have nobody to look after me and it will be cold outside!”. And as I soothed your tears, and assured you that whilst you would certainly get older you wouldn’t get bigger, you asked me, “Will you still look after me when I’m big?”. And I told. you, I always will.
And its funny because whilst you have always been so desperate for your birthday to come around, you still cling to the fact that you’re just a little girl. When I tell you that you are a big girl now, or comment on how tall you have grown, a look of panic washes over you and you tell me, in the sweetest of little voices, “I’m still a baby though Mama.” And I guess you’re right, you will always be my baby girl.
Because sometimes it’s easy to forget that, given the fact that by the time your first birthday came around you were a big sister just four days later. Sometimes, when you read me a book or write me a story, it’s hard to believe that you are still so small. When you speak with such wisdom, or create another musical masterpiece, I marvel that someone so young, and so desperate to stay that way, could be so incredibly advanced, so mature, and so much wiser than I in so many ways.
Because honestly Megs, we could all learn so much from you and the way in which you see the world, and four was the year when your really came into your own. After years of struggles, from that screaming baby to that angry toddler, it turns out that you simply needed an outlet for your talents, the chance to be challenged, to turn all of that frustration into learning and development. And with starting school you did exactly that.
From that very first day, the proudest little girl in all the world in your school uniform, you have soared. You have learned to read and write with such ease, soaking up all of that information and translating it from pen to paper. You have received glowing reports from your teacher, across all areas of learning, and honestly Meggy, we couldn’t be prouder of you. Our clever little book worm, our future story book writer, you are truly amazing.
Obviously you have your moments, and four was far from perfect, but I’m so sad to say goodbye to the year you left nursery, started school and began a whole new adventure. The year when Eva was your best friend, Harry your partner in crime, and the year you waved Lewis off to school each morning, shouting at him down the road, “Just one more cuddle!!”.
Four was the year you believed in unicorns and fairies, mystical beasts and faraway lands, when you were convinced if you shouted loud enough, that Joseph would hear you. Four was the year when the sound of your laugher was the most wonderful sound of all.
Four was the year you danced in Welsh seas, built sand castles on southern shores, when you rode roller coasters and enjoyed donkey rides, ate sandy picnics and ice creams in the sun, went crabbing on the pier and flew kites at sunset.
Four was the year we went camping, when we sailed the Loch Ness, caught raindrops on your tongue and snowflakes on your lashes; four was the year when every day was your greatest adventure.
Four was the year you sang to us so beautifully, placed hand written notes on my desk to discover by morning, when you rushed to me at pick up, your hair dischevelled, your eyes sparkling with all you had learned, when you pressed your little head against mine and told me, “I missed you mama.” Four was the year when you loved each of us infinitely and unconditionally.
Four was the year you became everything you were supposed to be, and nothing that others expected you to be; the year we realised that our sensitive little soul had blossomed into the most amazing little brain box, grown so breathtakingly beautiful and so incredibly talented. Four was the year when you were mine and I was yours, and I would give just about anything to freeze frame those moments for just a fraction longer.
Because deep down, beneath that angry exterior and those difficult moments in which you see red, of which there are still plenty, you are just a little girl, desperate to be loved, to be showered with attention, and to be accepted. And you are, and we will, for always.
So here we are, five years old, and whilst I am so sad that you shall never again be four, I can’t wait to see what this next twelve months has in store for you.
Happy Birthday Megan Alicia, we love you all the stars in the sky. xxx
Aww, this is so sweet. Meggy sounds a lot like me at that age . . . I was very moody and bossy but always did well in school once I had things to do.
Oh Laura, look at all of those amazing memories. Such a special thing to look back on! Stunning.
Laura, this is beautiful!!! Such sweet words, and memories to look back on. I’m sure she will love reading these letters back when she’s older.
Happy Birthday Meggy, here’s to being 5!
Keeley – vibeslifeus
Aww what a beautiful collection of photos and memories – Happy 5th Birthday Little One! 🙂
This is a stunning letter to your daughter on her 5th birthday. I do hope she enjoys reading this throughout her years and you too when you look back on it. I hope she has a great 5th Birthday.
This is such a lovely write up to Meggy on her 5th birthday. It’s a lovely post to read. I love all of the photographic memories too!
She is absolutely beautiful!! Actually, the whole family is! What a sweet message from Momma! Happy Birthday Meggy! Hope you have a wonderful day!
What an adorable kid. Happy 5th birthday, Megan!
What a beautiful family you have! I am IN LOVE with that superhero photo OMG that is AWESOME! I want one done of ME haha! I am dead serious though. Happy Birthday, Meggy!
Awwww, this is precious! I wish I’ve done something like this when my baby girl was a lot smaller. She’s all grown now. This is such lovely photos of Megan. The camera loves her! 🙂 Happy birthday, little one!
Beautiful job at capturing the memories over the years!
What an incredibly sweet post! Happy Happy Birthday sweet girl. I hope that it is the best day ever!
Gosh she has done so much this past year! I hope she has the most amazing birthday and look forward to seeing this years advebtures
Ahhh this is so beautiful I can relate to a lot of us as my daughter is the exact same age and about to write her letter too xx
Your photos are all so beautiful! Happy birthday Meggy, I hope she has a lovely lovely day! xx
Happy Birthday Meggy! She sounds like the most amazing ray of light, you should be so proud of all that she is and all that she will become x
Love seeing these smiling faces and your loving words. What a great way to honor your babies. Hold on to your hats mama, as time travels quickly, they will all be driving before w know it! Happy birthday! 🙂 [My baby is 5 in 20 days – I can relate!!]
three words – beautiful, happy and adorable 🙂 These are some amazing photos 🙂 Incredible Moments of life
Five years old is such a great age. My triplets are five, and they are full of life and energy. Happy Birthday to your girl!
Happy Birthday Meggy! This is such a beautiful post. I really enjoyed reading it! Five is such an amazing age.
Happy Birthday Meggy, this is one of the best post I’ve read! I really enjoyed reading about Meggy and from the stories you shared, she seems like the sweetest little girl! I love the fact that she still feels the connection to you even as she gets older!
This is so precious!! congrats on her birthday xx
This is such a sweet post to your little girl on her fifth birthday. I love that you’ve highlighted some of her most memorable moments in these photos.
What a sweet, adorable little girl you have. And what a touching tribute!
Your kids are so adorable! Highlighting your little princess birthday is definitely memorable.
I teared up! Absolutely love this and you have inspired me to do one for my son later this year. They grow up so fast!
Awwwww Happy Birthday Meggy – same age as me! Five is a great age and its the best time to let our imaginations run wild, I sometimes think I run faster than a cheetah!
Happy birthday Megan, hope you have a wonderful day
It is pretty wild how fast she is growing. She is such a sweetie and deserves the best.
What a gorgeous birthday letter. I hope Meggy had a wonderful day and enjoys what being 5 will bring her
Aw, happy 5th, Meg! She looks fabulous and seems to be smiling all the time. Love all the memories you’ve shared above. Moments like these make you proud to be a parent. You know, since your child reached age five without hurting themselves too badly. Kids can be such explorers.
Beautiful photos, they grow up so fast! Happy birthday, Meg!
Such gorgeous children. I love the photos, wish mine were even half as good. Happy birthday to your little lady!!!
This is absolutely precious. Happy Birthday, Meg! she is so photogenic.
what a sweet, precious post wrote for a little one that is both loved and full of love, thanks for sharing
Having children always reminds me of how eager I was to grow up during my own childhood, and what a contrast that is to how much time adults seem to spend reminiscing about the “good old days” of their youth! We are a funny species that way ;). My own son is approaching his 6th birthday, and my daughter her 3rd. The time truly goes too fast. Happy 5th birthday to Meggy!
Happy birthday Meggy. She looks so much older than 5 years old!
Aww your post was so sweet! You made me cry!
Such a beautiful tribute!! Time really does fly by when you’re raising these little angels. It’s great that your daughter will be able to look back on these letters and smile. Great job mom!
Happy Birthday sweeties. I admire your imagination, your belief that anything is possible , love the concept.
Happy Birthday to Meggy! I loved reading this post and the photos are beautiful. Time goes by so quickly and you’ve shared some wonderful memories and hopes for the future!
What a beautiful letter, sounds like Meggy has had a fabulous fourth year. Hope her fifth year is fab and that she had a fantastic birthday x
How cute is she! Happy birthday to her.
How adorable Meggy is!!! she has a charm in her smile which makes her so special…God bless her and wish she forever smile that way!!! Happy 5th Birthday Sweetie!!!
Such a sweet post! Happy birthday Meggy! You are such a lovely little girl. I wish you more fun and knowledge in the next 12 months. Stay pretty!
Lovely girl. She’s very beautiful. Why do they grow up so fast? This is one thing that I am most aftaid of about my baby — that he would grow up too fast. Best to do is to try our best to capture memories and milestones.
Your Meggy is so beautiful and sweet! And baby grow up so so quick but these years are beautiful!
Aw! What a beautiful letter to your daughter! I’m sure when she will grow older and read this letter, she would feel so proud of you being her mom! All your kids are super cute and Happy 5th birthday to Meggy!
What a lovely write up, something so gorgeous for her to have to look back on. Happy Birthday to her!
I think it’s amazing how time flies but a little sad as well that we have to slowly let them be their own. She’s growing up to be a wonderful young lady. Happiest birthday to her!
These compilation of your family photos are cute! It looks like you guys have a strong bond
Your daughter is absolutely adorable. And that’s so great you wrote this letter. It’s a beautiful tribute. I hope she has an amazing birthday and a year full of love and laughter.
Such a sweet treasure to give to your daughter’s future self. It’s so difficult for us to recall the vivid details of those years but she will have a collection of the most magical memories in these letters.
She has the best parents in the world who could raise her as the amazing young woman she’s turning out to be! I love her smile, it’s so contagious! I hope you guys had a great time celebrating this lovely little lady’s birthday!
I think I said it before but im going to repeat myself wooow you have beautiful children God bless them ! Also beautiful tribute ! you did an amazing job with the letter
What a wonderful post! She is one lucky little girl. So adorable! I wish her the best life. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
This is a gorgeous post, thanks so much for sharing! You’ve really amassed a gorgeous array of photography of her. It’s lovely, truly lovely!
Aww, this is so sweet! Happy birthday to your little one. She’s lucky to have a mom like you!
I love reading and writing open letters! It gives such great insight into someone else’s private life but also allowing the reader to connect with the writer’s experiences.
Happy Birthday Meggy. She is such an adorable kid, love her pictures, all of them!
This was such a beautiful post! Happy Birthday to Meggy! She is gorgeous inside and out!
this is sweet! your meggy is adorable and based on her pictures, she’s bubbly and friendly. happy birthday to her!
She looks like a fun little girl. Happy 5th Birthday!!! Keep smiling!!!