Things I Didn't Know When This Photo Was Taken

I’ve learned a few things since March 12, 1974, when this sweet baby girl entered my life. Here’s a partial list:

1. Children teach you what unconditional love really means.

2. Your child is unquestionably the best looking, funniest, sweetest, brightest kid ever. (And subsequent children born to you are every bit as wonderful as the first.)

3. No one will ever disappoint, hurt, anger, or embarrass you more than your child, and no one will ever make you more proud.

4. Children teach you far more than you teach them.

5. You can’t totally control anyone else, especially if the person you want to control is a two-year-old.

6. Regardless of how well you’ve done with parenting up until that point, you’ll feel totally incompetent during the years you have thirteen-year-old kids.

7. You would do anything to take away your child’s pain.

8. One way or another, your child will break your heart.

9. A high maintenance child is not necessarily a high maintenance adult, and a low maintenance child is not necessarily a low maintenance adult. (Thank you, my children, for taking turns being high maintenance!)

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10. You never stop worrying about your children, even when they’re grown.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl. You will always be my baby girl, regardless of your age.