Friday, May 23, 2014

A Letter to My Daughter





So many thoughts and feelings are running through my mind and heart, as we get ever closer to your wedding day.  I know I am normally an emotional woman who wears her heart on her sleeve; I can rarely, if ever, hide how I feel.  If I thought I was going to be able to conceal my emotions at this time, wow, was I mistaken.  They bubble up at the strangest times…in the shower, at the register at Five Below, even in my dreams…

The one thing I know for sure, I am absolutely unable to change that part of me.  When I try to ignore the emotions I feel, they just bust through like that proverbial bull in a china shop.  Because of this, I am going to lay my thoughts out here and hope that once they are written, I can be as normal as I ever am.  (Which is no where near normal)

My daughter, in less than a month, will be a bride.  It’s amazing to me, when I look back over the years how quickly they have flown.  It sounds so trite, but it is so true.  Lauren, I remember Dr. Landsberg saying, “10:46, it’s a girl”, like it was yesterday.  Labor, when Pop came in to say he loved me, listening to the Monday morning traffic as it whizzed by my hospital room, all those memories…how can they be from so long ago when I barely remember what I did last week?  My little girl, with the bonnets, to my best friend; you understand me sometimes better than I understand myself (and vice versa).  Since the day you were born, I thank G-d for you and Michael, every single day.  (I really do)

I don’t know why your getting married is so extra emotional?  You already live with your Sweetheart, the love of your life.  And, may I add at this point, that you made a perfect choice.  A little aside to Alex here….as a Mom, I couldn’t have chosen a better husband for Lauren.  I am so thankful, so totally proud and thrilled to welcome you as my newest son.  I love you and hope you know that I am honored to be your mother-in-law.  I hope to not fit into the stereotypical mother-in-law role.  Just know that even though I may be a pain sometimes…and I am certain those times will come…that’s just me being a Mom ~ but always know, I love you.  And always, just be you because it is your love, caring and thoughtfulness that has brought a light to Lauren’s eyes that fills my heart with joy.

Okay, now back to why I feel so extra emotional…I look at you, Lauren, and I see such an amazing woman!  You are smart, you are thoughtful, you are caring, you are funny and you have such a good heart.  And now, you will be a married woman!  Something about that is so deep.  I suppose because Daddy and I have shared so much ~ good times, hard times, happy times, and sad times, but always coming through together.  I see the life and the history that we have made so far and see you and Alex beginning that journey and I realize that you and he together will now truly begin your new, married path.  Even though your history started years ago, now is a new, different kind of start.  You will be husband and wife, and that public, legal commitment does change things.  I don’t know why it does, but it does. 

Our times together, our talks are always without reservation.  I don’t have to hold anything back when I talk to you.  You know my heart and you feel my thoughts.  You always know me and I always know you.  Although that won’t ever change, I want to tell you (even though I know you already know) that you now have a primary responsibility to Alex.  That’s the way it should be and that is the way I want it to be for both of you.  I know that shift happened a long time ago, as it should have, but it is the formality of your wedding day that brings that shift to the forefront. 

I am just so totally thankful that Alex is the man he is.  Aside from the big things he does to make you happy, like up-rooting his job and his home in NY to move to PA; it is the little things I observe like going out of his way to get you a dessert you mentioned you found interesting, bringing you flowers “just like this”, or saving his not spicy tortilla chips so you can soothe your mouth after hot soup…. all without your asking.  It is those actions that fill my heart with more happiness than I can say for I know that you will always have someone by your side that puts you first.  But that only works when you put him first.  And that is what will make your lives together a strong, beautiful, life-long love.

You are my daughter, and that fact fills my heart with a love and pride that only grows stronger and deeper with every second.  From the first time I held you I dreamed of all your milestones.  Well, your wedding day is probably one of the biggest.  Just know that Daddy and I will always be here for you and Alex.   Whatever you both dream, we dream for you.  Whatever you both hope, we hope, too.  Whatever we can do to help or make your path easier, we are here to do so.

You are my precious Lauren.  Thank you for being the most amazing, the most terrific, the most caring and the most perfect daughter.  You have always filled my heart with love and now I look forward to added love with Alex.  I look forward to sharing more milestones as you and Alex thrive together.


Be happy Baby.  Always remember to put Alex first, right up there with you.  Everything and everyone else is after that.  I love you both always.

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