Soggy Days

Yesterday was my youngest daughter's birthday. I can't help but think back to the first day she was born. I counted her fingers and her toes, but I kept coming up with six, because I couldn't focus through my tears. 

I tried to memorize her face so I would remember her features in case the nurses decided to steal her (I did that with all my children). But all I could see were her enormous eyes. So when anybody asked me what she looked like, I had to tell them, "I honestly don't know. All I can see are her eyes."

It's the first thing people notice about Brittney. Her eyes are HUGE! And so expressive. 

Brittney and I used to engage in silly conversations. It wouldn't matter who started it – it always began with, "I love you," and continued with, "I love you more," followed by, "I knew you would say that." And it ended with, "You always do."

And then her brother discovered us saying it, so he teased us with his own version of, "I LOOOOOOVE YOUUUUUUU!" as he waited for my response. So, of course, I had to jump in with , "I love you more." And then Brittney would say, "Hey, that's what Mom and I say to each other." 

It has been 25 years since I first looked into those big beautiful brown eyes. And every once in a while, when I say to her, "I love you," she still says, "I love you more."