WG got sad with her upcoming birthday approaching stating, “I just wish someone in this house had been there to see me grow up.” And although that statement is heartbreaking and we assured her that we wanted that too, I think it comes from a place of pride in how far she has come and truly how hard she has worked to overcome that very “growing up” she had to do early in life.

What many people don’t know is that WG was born at 31 weeks and weighed just over 2 pounds. She was a miracle and a fighter from the start….and there is every ounce of me that wishes I had been there with her holding a teeny hand and holding her body against mine to aid in her survival. And those same ounces of me are furious that others weren’t crowded around doing the same for her. But as you’ve heard me say before, her story is hers and I won’t share much more than that. We only have a handful of photos of her as a little but take in this cuteness for a second….

What I will share today on her 17th birthday is how much we HAVE seen her “grow up” under our roof and in our arms in the last 5 years and what a miracle it is we are all still standing. I will not ever pretend that this journey has been easy but I will say it has stretched us all in ways that can only strengthen us. I am proud of her spirit, her joy, her being a ridiculously loyal and loving friend and sister, and her recent gains in attachment to me as her mama.

Dear WG,

I hope you never stop fighting for life and for survival the way you did at 31 weeks old. You are in charge of your life and will always have a resiliency that will get you through. Stay pointed towards the light and the truth and stay connected to people that value you for YOU and not just what you can offer to do for them. Even though we weren’t there in the beginning, we are here now and will be forever….and can’t wait to see the explosion of growth that’s still ahead of you. We love you completely and always will.

Love, Mama