Happy 18th Birthday Kaitlyn

Dear Kaitlyn,

It feels like just yesterday I was sitting at home playing Bejewled on the computer completely unaware that I was in labor with you. Your dad knew though, he watched me playing that computer game and timed how many times my face winced in an hour. Here we are though 18 years later and you are still full of surprises.

I'm sorry this day isn't going to be what you had hoped it would be because of this pandemic. Frankly, there have been a lot of unfair things about this whole thing that have happened to you and I completely understand how disappointed you are. I do hope your day ends up being better than you have been expecting. If nothing else, I guess you'll at least be getting a lesson that things don't always go as we plan them to, but that doesn't mean it has to be a bad thing. Okay, maybe I'm actually getting this lesson. Sometimes I feel like you take these kinds of things better than I do. You do deserve so much more though. We will make the best of it all though.

My wishes for you this year are that you begin the first steps in pursuing your dreams. Whatever those may be and however they may change. You are such a hard worker with such a big heart and so smart (yes, you are smart) that there isn't a doubt in my mind that you will do whatever it takes to do what you want to do in life. Always know that Daddy and I will always be here for you no matter how old you get and no matter what you need. We are your biggest cheerleaders now and forever and just want you to be happy.

Happy 18th birthday Katie Kiddles, I hope all your wishes come true.

Love always,

Mommy