Tomorrow is your last day as a 4-year-old. Like I told you over dinner tonight, I can’t believe that we’ve known each other for five years. Somedays it feels like longer, but most of the time it feels like a wonderful, magical blur. In the last five years you’ve taught me a lot, so I feel it’s right for me to give you thanks leading up to such a big birthday.

Iris, thank you for…

– Showing me once again that simple things are beautiful.
– For reminding me tonight that we have known each other for almost five years, since your birthday isn’t actually until Saturday.
– Letting me see the world through your eyes – and your heart.
– Making me laugh at things that I previously was too jaded to even smile at.
– Your full-belly giggle.
– Always finding the spaghetti sauce on my chin.
– Your thoughtfulness and sweetness with everything that you do.
– Always wanting to share your candy with me – instead of hoarding things you love, you want to share them.
– Your unique silliness.
– Your wild, made up songs.
– Helping your friends.
– Helping people, even when they are not your friends.
– Breaking up the monotony of the day with your constant farting.
– Telling me that I’m pretty out of no where. And strangers too.
– Never letting me forget. Anything.
– Keeping me company when I pee. Always.
– Not caring that I don’t know the real lyrics to basically any kids’ songs.
– Being so damn good.
– For being you.

Never lose these things. Try real hard.
Except, maybe the farting. Yeah. Definitely the farting by at least maybe age 12 or 13? I think you will appreciate that advice one day.

Iris Adella Gill, you are my heart and soul and I love you more than you will ever know. Happy almost fifth birthday.

Love,
Mommy