My dearest Karina,
Another year gone by and by far the strangest one yet. You are celebrating your eighth birthday in the middle of a pandemic. Life is a little different but you haven’t let it bring you down once. In fact, maybe it’s because we’ve grown so close as a family, but this may be my favorite year with you so far.
Today you are eight. And after already experiencing this glorious age with one child I truly believe it…Eight is great!
This year has brought more lost teeth, independent swimming, flag football, a love of Chess, and reading allllll the books, especially your favorite — the entire Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
While the milestones are all fun, this year has truly shown me how resilient you are too. When school switched to all online due to Covid, you didn’t let it stress you out. I was floored by how resilient you were through it all considering big changes have been a struggle for you in the past. It seems you’ve just truly enjoyed just being yourself during this time, and dad and I have enjoyed watching you blossom and become more of your own little person.
One of the healthiest coping mechanisms you’ve developed this year — likely from sheer boredom {but we’ll take it} — is reading for pleasure. We find you reading in your room quietly at least once a day. You even bring books everywhere you go and I have countless pictures of you reading in different places. I’m sooooo happy you love reading. It truly is the gateway to understanding life and others; and I promise to always do what I can to ensure you have all the books your heart desires.
You also love games and ask to play them daily. Your favorites are Monopoly, chess, checkers, and Life. You almost always win, even when I try my hardest. Your strategic brain is definitely a gift from your dad and I love seeing you bond as he teaches you.
Your other current favorite things to do are play with our pets, play outside, create with LEGOs, and play Nintendo — especially Minecraft. While the fighting with your siblings makes me crazy at times, I also see the amazing bond you three have. I hope you keep it forever and for always because as I say every year, you’re stuck with them!
Pre-pandemic, you were a model student and a fierce little athlete. You tried flag football for the first time last fall and ended up doing great and impressing everyone with your skills. You truly are a kid that always keeps us guessing with what you will love! You still enjoy wrestling and being very physical. I’m grateful for your siblings and neighbor kids for keeping up with your energy when it’s too much for me.
Something I’ve really noticed this year is how people — kids and adults alike — have to put effort into getting to know you. Those that go out of their way to include you or seek you out are my true MVPs. You have some fantastic friends and adults you love to joke with, and you really have turned a corner socially this year. I’ve been so proud to witness you thinking of others so much the past few months. Continue to grow that heart and it will serve you well in life.
I will say though, your personality type is definitely unique for a girl your age. I admit, I may have tried too hard to make you into a “sweetheart” kind of girl when you were younger…but I’ve quickly learned that’s just not how you roll. You are bold, loud, goofy {oh boy, the potty humor!}, and smart as a whip.
This year I finally stopped feeling like I needed to mold you a certain way and just let you be you. During many conversations, I lead with “Well that’s not how I would do it…But if it makes you happy, go for it,” and that has made all the difference. Please never lose your spark to blaze your own trail.
I truly think God knew what was up when he sent me you. On a daily basis, you challenge me to think differently, and make me accountable to match my actions and words — something I’ve always been terrible at. Some of the things that come out of your mouth…I just can’t even. You are truly smarter than many adults I know and I LOVE your observations on life 😉
This year, I hope you continue to know how much daddy and I love you, but also know we pray you continue to love who YOU are too. Please don’t EVER let society tell you that you are too much or you need to shrink yourself for the comfort of others. We love that you are not afraid to take risks and stand up to bullies. Stay bold, girlfriend. With that trait alone, we know you will go places!
Love you to the moon and back, times infinity.
Kisses,
Mom
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