Happy Birthday, Mamacita!

She is a diva, mostly in the good way, lol. She is beautiful, smart, compassionate, passionate…and she is fifteen now. In true diva style, her birthday lasted not one, not two, not three, but spanned four days. Thursday she had a pre-birthday “movie night” complete with friends, snacks, and a scary movie. Friday, at 10:25am, marked fifteen years since I first held her in my arms, and we commemorated the event by eating breakfast at Biscuits, getting her belly button pierced, and going to see Hunger Games with her best friend who stayed over with her the night before. They were so funny at breakfast, taking shots of the half and half that had been intended for the coffee. Then, her daddy surprised her by stopping by the restaurant while on break from work. It was precious to see her eyes light up, and hear her shout his name with sheer glee, as he approached our table. Her cousins stayed the night with her on Friday, and then spent the entire following day hanging out with her. Laying out on the roof together, enjoying our area’s first really sunny day of 2012.

Then today, the last day of the weekend and the last day of the festivities. Friends gathered here again, including her “friend who’s a boy” – lol. They loaded up on pizza, loaded into the SUV, and headed to the local skating rink for three hours of open skate. No parents, just friends and laughter…and holding hands with that friend as they rolled around the rink. Oohhhh, for as many things that have changed since I was fifteen…at least some things have remained the same. That makes me smile. Upon their return to the house we all took the time to sing to her, completely out of harmony, before the traditional cake and ice cream finally rounded out her very long birthday.

What a blessing to have had her for the last fifteen years. I have learned so much about her, about life, and about myself as the gift of mothering her has been so gradually quickly unwrapped. I am so in love with her, so proud of her, and so hopeful for her. She will, God-willing and no doubt, be a very bright light in the world and for the world.

Happy, happy birthday, my beautiful Mamacita. We love you so dang much!