Today you turn one year old. I’m fighting back tears as I write this to you. Some of them are happy tears, some sad. There are so many emotions I feel when I think about this day last year and pretty much all the days since.
Daddy and I waited so long for you. We prayed for you every night on our knees. We could not wait for you to come, but after losing your big brother, we were so scared. The night before you were born, in tears, I cried out to God that he would let you live. I checked your heartbeat every few hours, just to make sure things were still okay. I waited on pins and needles. I hoped.
We went to the hospital very early in the morning, and guess what? I started having contractions on the way. We think it was your way of saying, “I know you guys planned this, but it’s cool. I’m ready to come anyhow. Just lettin’ you guys know that I call the shots.” We waited all day for you.
We were so excited.
Everything was ready.
Then, at 3:50 in the afternoon, God gave us you.
And we were breathless.
Sweet Jonah, you were not what we expected. Something wasn’t right. This was not the way it was supposed to be. Why were your hands, feet, knees, and elbows completely raw? Why were there blisters on your face and head? What was wrong?
But, still, you were perfect.
You were beautiful from the moment you were born. Blonde hair, blue eyes. I could see Gabe in you, but you had your own look. Beautiful. Really, I know everybody says, “All babies are cute,” but most babies look kind of funny and squishy when they’re first born. But not you. You were adorable from the first moment.
We were elated and relieved that you were here, alive and breathing. And we were heartbroken and devastated, terrified that you would not be with us for long.
But here you are today, Jonah, a whole year old.
You’re our miracle.
And you are still completely perfect, beautiful, and you still leave us breathless.
I just want to tell you today how much we love you, how much you’ve changed our lives for the BETTER. You are far more wonderful and amazing than anything I ever could have hoped or dreamed, and I ache for you to know how much we love you. I don’t think we could love you any more if we tried. You’re the light of our lives.
So, Happy First Birthday, my sweet Baby Jonah.
We pray and wait in expectation for many, many, many more.
We pray and wait in expectation for many, many, many more.
