Parenthood

A Letter to Our Daughter on Her First Birthday

August 23, 2018 /
a letter to my daughter on her first birthday

This is a letter to our daughter on her first birthday:

To our sweet Rosemary,

One year ago today, you swept us up in a whirlwind of adventure as you entered the world in a most dramatic and unexpected way. You sure made a statement when you decided 32 weeks was a good time to pop out. This seems to be a pretty consistent theme in your life so far – to do everything early.

After the initial shock of birth wore out, it was easy for mommy and daddy to fall in love with you. Even in the NICU, we could tell that you were an expressive gal. Your wandering eyes, exaggerated stretches and ever kicking feet were evidences that we had a trouble-maker on our hands.

As your personality has blossomed within this year, we continue to watch with joy and amazement the little person that you are.

Rosie, you have surpassed all our expectations.

Rosie, you are so strong-willed. You are mischievous. You are bold and fearless. You are definitely a girl after daddy’s own heart. You are not afraid of new things or new people. If I may, I would even say that you are boisterous and loud. You are already speaking up a storm although mommy and daddy don’t quite understand yet. Mommy and daddy promise to always listen to you talk, even when you talk too much.

Rosie, you are so inquisitive. The only time you are quiet is when you are observing (or tired or asleep). You are always alert – your eyes don’t stop moving and your head turns at every new noise. Your mind must be exploding with all the new experiences and sights you have seen. Mommy and daddy promise to slow down and join you in your wonder.

Rosie, you are so freaking cute! Is it your cross-eyed look or your expressive little mouth? It might be your curled eyelashes, your thick brow, your dainty nose or those delicious cheeks. Whatever it is, you are gorgeous and we could look at you forever.  Even your defiant look is cute at this stage. Mommy and daddy promise to remind you that you are beautiful because you are fearfully and wonderfully made by our Heavenly Father.

We also promise to love you unceasingly.

We promise to instruct you, provide for you and cherish you.

We promise to do our best to our best to model Christ-likeness.

Finally, we promise to pray for you daily.

We pray that you will grow to become a woman who is clothed with strength and dignity, wisdom and grace. We pray God will develop in you the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. We pray that you will love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love others as yourself.

This is the first year of your life and you’re off to a good start. Here’s to many more!

Love forever,

Mommy and Daddy

This is a letter to our daughter on her first birthday. I bet we’ll be writing our second letter before we know it. The first few years of a little’s life fly by so quickly. Are you the type to write letters to your children? What would you like to tell your child on their birthday?

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13 Comments

    • eunicezhou

      September 11, 2018 at 5:48 pm

      Thank you so much! I found writing a ltter was a great way to reflect on the year. I do hope to continue this tradition 🙂

    • eunicezhou

      September 11, 2018 at 5:50 pm

      Oh mama I can’t imagine the experience you had! One 32 weeker was difficult enough. Yes best of luck to us in raising these little humans !!

    • eunicezhou

      September 11, 2018 at 5:42 pm

      Thank you! We love to capture memories by taking pictures and videos. I might have gone out of my way to get some extra pretty ones for her first birthday haha

  • Janelle

    September 11, 2018 at 10:57 am

    What a gorgeous little love you have been gifted with! And she has been gifted with parents that are thoughtful enough to sit down and write her a letter expressing your hearts while documenting the highlights of her very first year of life! What a beautiful and tender letter, and what I pray, will be the beginning of a priceless tradition for the both of you and Rosie. Thank you for publishing this!

    • eunicezhou

      September 11, 2018 at 5:41 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind words. She is such a little blessing! I’ll definitely be writing a letter every year if I’m as nostalgic as I was on her first birthday hehe