Dear Portia, A Letter on Your 4th Birthday
Dear Portia,
“Best Birthday ever!” you chanted all day and night in anticipation. “Tomorrow is my Birthday!” you kept saying over and over. “Don’t forget the signs” you kept repeating. “Make sure we have chips and guacamole! Oh and presents! Lots and lots of presents!” I have never seen someone so so so excited for their special day. Even with your Princess Party, 1st Broadway show and Tea with Eloise postponed until several months from now. You simply cannot wait for your big day.
Unlike myself, I think you are enjoying this quarantine, being with Mommy, Daddy and Hermione for going on 5 weeks straight now. You have never gotten more attention and concentrated family time. Tonight you told me you don't want to celebrate with anyone else on the computer tomorrow. “I only want to celebrate my Birthday with my family.” You love having us all together all the time,
These past few weeks you have taught me to appreciate the simple things. You have loved the little math games I make for you, helping me with “chores” around the house, even just making lunch for our rooftop picnics. No load of laundry, trip to the mailbox, or scoot to the park is mundane to you. You find magic in every moment. Perhaps because you truly are a magical little being.
The other day, while sitting down to do a workbook together you turned to me in all sincerity and said, “Mommy, you are the best teacher. You should be my preschool teacher from now on.” No matter how impatient I get with you, no matter how grumpy and short I am, you still think I hung the moon. You are Mommy’s little girl through and through.
You have one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen. Several times this year you have asked to make a card for a friend who wasn’t feeling well. You love your friends fiercely, always wanting playdates, lunch dates, and to drop special notes or treats off at their apartments. You are the only person I know who makes Valentines year round.
If anyone in our family is ever angry, sad or upset you are the first to comfort them. Tonight, when I came back from a walk to blow off the day’s steam you greeted me with a giant hug asking, “Do you feel better now Mommy?”
You may be sweet, cuddly and attached to Mommy but this year you have also further proven you have a mischievous, naughty, limit testing side. When I caught you, scissors in hand, cutting your own hair you stared me in the eyes and said. “if you hide the scissors you know I will just find them again.” Your screams and defiance can bring me to tears on my knees. You know how to push all of my buttons. Yet, at the end of the day there is nowhere I would rather be than snuggled up next to you in your bed, inhaling your scent and kissing your sweet neck as you ask for “just a few more snuggles?” I love you so, so very much.
I can’t believe you are four. It feels like only moments ago I was waiting, and waiting, and waiting for your arrival. The best things in life are truly worth waiting for.
This birthday might not be what we had originally planned but I promise you will be showered with so much love. I also promise I will make that dream princess party happen for you as soon as parties are allowed again.
Porchie, my baby girl, I love you with every cell in my body. Please never stop wanting to lay on top of me while watching a movie. Please never stop wanting “just one more’ bedtime story. Please never stop silently sneaking into my bed in the middle of the night because you “just wanted snuggles from Mommy.” Please never stop loving pickles and coconut water. Please promise no matter how big or grown up you get you will always be my baby.
Happy, Happy 4th Birthday to my sweet, sassy, silly, big little girl. May this year be full of magic.
All of my love,
Mommy
