Dear Henry,

Hello, my little love! I hope that when you are old enough to read this, that you will be happy and full of hope. I hope that life hasn’t been full of cruelties and sacrifice for you. I wish for you to have a wonderful future, as well as a past that makes you smile when you look back on it.

You were in a hurry to come into this world. You made your appearance two months early, and you did it in the most dramatic way you could’ve. On the iciest day of the year, when your father and I were stuck at home because the weather was so cruel.

We had to have friends drive us to the hospital because it was half an hour away from our home.

When we learned that you were coming ahead of schedule, we knew that it was going to be scary. You were so tiny when you came into this world. Barely bigger than both of my hands held together.

I spent six weeks with you, in the hospital, watching you grow bigger and stronger every day. When you finally came home, you were healthy and happy, and perfect!

I have watched you grow into a perfect, tiny, human. You have your own personality and your own eccentricities, like anyone else. You like to voice your opinions, and you love to squeal when you get excited. You love kitties, and flashlights, and trucks of all shapes and sizes. Your favorite thing right now is reading your books. No matter how many toys you are surrounded by, you would always rather go read your books alone in a quiet room, and I love this.

You are so sweet and reserved, always watching and listening to those around you. You love to give kisses, and you are always so excited to watch me paint my fingernails. You listen so well, and you are so helpful around the house, and I am proud to be able to watch you grown up. I am proud to be your momma, and I am so lucky that you are my little critter.

I hope that when you are older, that you still love to read. Books are so beautiful and reading is so important. I hope that your sweet and gentle nature holds strong against the meanness that life will throw at you.

I hope that you respect yourself, and always do your best. I want you to find happiness in whatever you do but never lose your discipline and determination.

I want you to know that I love you. And I am so proud of how much you have grown and thrived in the (almost) three short years that I have had you in my arms. I know that you are going to do great things in this world, and I can’t wait to see the person that you will become!

Love, Ma