To my girls on their second birthdays
In the grand tapestry of life, there are certain moments that seem suspended in time, frozen in our memories. Yet, there are others that slip through our fingers with such rapidity that we can scarcely believe they have come and gone.
The passage of time can be a confounding phenomenon, and perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the swift march from infancy to toddlerhood.
Just yesterday—or so it seems—my sweet nieces, Austen Olivia and Winnie Faye, came into this world, making me an aunt for the first time, both tiny bundles of possibility and promise. Their arrivals met with celebration, marked by sleepless nights for their parents and tender moments of bonding for the entire family. I can still recall the overwhelming sense of awe and wonder as I held them in my arms for the first time, marveling at the beautiful of new lives.
And yet, here we are, two years later, having recently celebrated their second birthdays. It’s a milestone that feels both momentous and surreal, as if time itself has played a trick on us, moving with a swiftness that defies comprehension. It’s as though I blinked, and they went from squirming infants to spirited toddlers with minds of their own.
In the whirlwind of these past two years, I’ve witnessed their transformation firsthand—their first tentative steps, their first words, their first fits of giggles that light up a room. I’ve watched with a mixture of pride and amazement as they’ve grown and flourished, each day bringing new discoveries and adventures.
But amidst the joy and wonder, there’s a bittersweet undercurrent, a reminder of the fleeting nature of childhood and the inexorable passage of time. It’s a reminder to cherish each moment, to savor the laughter and the cuddles, to imprint these precious memories on my heart before they slip away into the recesses of the past.
As we celebrate their second birthdays, I’m filled with gratitude for the privilege of being their aunt, their ‘Bek-Bek’ and ‘Aunt Bekah’ – for the opportunity to bear witness to their journey of growth and self-discovery is one I wouldn’t trade for the world. And though I may lament the swift passage of time, I take solace in the knowledge that with each passing year, their personalities will continue to blossom, their spirits will continue to shine and the bonds that binds us together will only grow stronger.
So, here’s to Austen and Winnie, who are the lights of my life. May your days be filled with laughter and love and may your hearts be forever young.
Happy birthday, my sweet girls.
You are loved more than you will ever know.
