Twelve years ago today (on Labor Day!), my Tall One arrived and I became a mom.

Scroll through the cliched-but-only-because-they’re-so-truisms here:

The love was deep and instant.
My life was changed forever.
It’s all gone too fast.

And then, add to that, this:

She combines old soul with innocence better than anyone I know.
She has a wildly curious mind and a deeply compassionate heart.
She has a sure sense of herself and, somehow, an easy nonchalance.
She fills our lives with ideas, thoughtfulness, beauty, music, humor, pathos, depth and love.
She inspires me every single day and I am a better person because of how deeply good she is.

That’s pretty much the sum of it. 
It’d break my heart if it didn’t make me so dang happy.
Y’know?
Lucky me.
Lucky us.

Happy Birthday, my sweet…
xxxooo