Could it even be possible?

Could two years just slip by so suddenly without notice?

And yet, these past two years feel as if they always were, I can’t fathom life before her.

She has captured our hearts and latched on tight, this little brown eyed girl of ours.

She has brought so much joy into our lives, filling us with the Father’s blessings beyond measure.

So on her 2nd Birthday, this mammy would just like to say:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways:

I love your ‘pleased with myself’ smile that lights up your whole face, and lights up our whole world.

I love how sometimes when I look at you I see your mommy when she was your age. It takes me back and my heart smiles big.

I love how you think you are so much bigger than you really are, your independence and how you love to do everything that your big sister does.

I love your sweetness, how you love to cuddle and how you pat my back when I hold you, melting my heart, dissolving it with every touch.

I love how happy you look when you realize that you are at mammy and gumps’ house. The big smile as you come through the door, holding out your little arms to us.

I love how you like to smell things and how you make us laugh when you do it, so we are always finding something for you to smell.

I love your big beautiful brown eyes that have power over us, bidding us to come closer.

I love how you would rather be outside than anywhere else. How you plead with us to take you out, even in the cold and rain, it delights your soul.

I love how God is growing you and changing you into the beautiful little girl that you have become. Your fun, witty personality and your loving tenderness.

I love how you love to play with your toys, and how you delight in including us in your play. How you love your babies so completely.

I love everything about you sweet, beautiful girl and I cherish every second I have with you.

Happy 2nd Birthday to a most amazing brown eyed girl!

How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)

Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1806 – 1861

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39