An Open Letter to My Daughter

My Dearest Violet,

Happy birthday, sweet pea! We had a wonderful day with you today--swinging on the swings at the playground, opening your prezzies from the grands, eating a cupcake for lunch (and getting it errrrvry where), and holding court in your pool in the front yard as the neighbors came by to wish you well.

At the risk of sounding treacly--or worse, like the first to ever push a person out of their body--you are pretty much the most delightful, engaging, and enchanting person I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Not every day is a picnic, but