Dear Audrey Hope,

Your joy is contagious.

Your love for life infectious.

Your energy is endless.

When I tuck you in at night, I often pause at your door to stare at you in wonder.

How did I get so lucky? You of all the children in the world are the one God chose for me to mother? I am in awe of this beautiful gift.

The other day your big sister came home from school and ran in to tell me-

“Momma Audrey has a fan club at school. We walk down the hall and people stop to hug her and at the end of the day everyone squeals her name. It’s kind of crazy”.

You know why you have a fan club my Audrey?

It’s because you are kind.

You are generous.

You look out for everyone.

You always find the good in each person and situation.

Turning your lemons into lemonade.

Maybe that’s why when you cry it affects me so deeply. It happens so infrequently and only after you’ve exhausted every attempt to “make things better”.

Your seventh year has seen tremendous change and you have balanced it all with the grace and dignity grown women envy.

I am so proud to call you my daughter.

You make me a better human being.

Great things are in store for you this year and I feel incredibly privileged to have a front row seat to watch it all unfold.

Do me a favor baby girl?

Don’t ever, for one second, doubt how much you are loved.

Happy eighth birthday my Audrey girl.

Love,

Your one and only Momma.

PS- you had to know I would pick this as your song this year! It has Audrey written all over it…..