A Happy 9th Birthday to my daughter – Tess’s 9th birthday letter from Mommy
My darling, precious Tessie,
Being your mother is one of the greatest blessings and joys of my life.
I love our little moments together, I love listening to your stories and the details of your day. I love your sweet hands and snuggles.
I love the things that make you, uniquely you! Your love for Chick-Fil-A, your eye for fashion, your creativity and thoughtfulness, your kind spirit.
So many families who have one daughter and one son choose to stop having more children. I always suggest to any mama who is debating a third to GO FOR IT.
My third baby is such a gift to our lives and our family unit and I cannot fathom a world without Tessley Capri in it!
As you get older you develop more and more into the “you” who you are meant to be and will always be and I love that each year of life gives me more of an opportunity to learn about you!
Growing up my own mother would say that she hoped I had a daughter just like me. When she said this she meant it as a negative thing. Instead, her wish came true and guess what?
Having a daughter just like me has been the best gift to my own healing journey. I get to see myself in new ways by having you as that source of inspiration.
You are such an amazing person that it helps me see myself as more of a wonderful person too.
While I love the ways in which we are alike, the best thing (and one of my proudest moments) is getting to see you shine as YOU! I love the ways in which we are different, the ways in which you are uniquely yourself!
You have always been very go-with-the-flow but I love that as you’re getting older you’re getting more sure of your desires and more likely to speak up and advocate for yourself and what is important to you.
Sometimes you don’t want to play the game that Britt wants to play – and you are starting to communicate that with her! It’s been an adjustment for you both and your relationship but a positive one. A necessary one.
I will never forget at one of your birthdays you opened gifts and Britt mentioned how cute something was and your first response was to offer to give it to her.
You have SUCH a truly kind, giving, and selfless heart. My sweet daughter! It’s a core part of who you are and it’s a wonderful quality but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have your own opinions, do things that you want to do, and share your thoughts and feelings – even when they differ from your sister’s (or friends or other family).
I am so proud of your growing sense of self and know it’ll serve you well into adulthood to have these skills and I’m thankful that as your family we can provide you a safe environment in which to learn and grow!
I have also learned that you appreciate quality time. Not just for special occasions – but anytime!
As a third child it makes sense that quality time one-on-one would be something you’d value, and you do! It does not have to be something grand. Running an errand, surprising you to eat lunch at school, grabbing an ice cream treat, seeking you out to sit together and talk. It’s EASY to fill your cup!
Not only are there so many easy ways to bond with you, it is also so fulfilling for those who love you to get the opportunity to spend time with you too.
You are just such a joy to be around. I love listening to you share stories, I love sharing with you as you love to ask deep questions, I love comforting you when you feel overwhelmed with feelings, I love snuggling up to a good movie (and lots of snacks), I love laughing at your sense of humor (oh how you fill the world with laughter!) and I love just sitting quietly together (reading dates are so fun!).
This has been a year leading up to a lot of changes and anticipating those changes can sometimes be tougher than the changes themselves.
Knowing it’s your last year of school with Britt is something you are nervous about. You still like to sleep with her every night and that will have to change when you won’t be getting up at the same time anymore for school.
Britt is your “safe space” but I also know you will adjust and be okay when she’s not with you at school anymore.
Just as much as you feel safe with Britt, Spear feels that same safety with you and you are SUCH an incredible big sister.
We always joke about you being his “Second Mama” and it only continues to be true. You love having him at school with you and love to look out for him on the bus and in the hallways.
I’m sure next school year you will continue to shine both as the big sister as well as in the classroom.
You are such a good student. So smart and also want to do your best at everything. You take your homework seriously and always want to make sure you’re studying for whatever test may be coming up.
I’m thankful for older siblings who love to help you study and even create fun games to help you master the material because goodness knows I’m too old to remember all the stuff you’re learning 😉
You have always done very well in school. Your teachers love you and you love being “teachers pet.” You are known throughout the school for your hugs. You greet all the teachers and staff with a smile and hug every time you pass them!
You also have so many friends – it makes me laugh when I come to eat lunch with you as you’ll barely get to eat because so many kids are walking by saying hey to you!
So far you have not shown much interest in extra curricular activities. I never want to pressure you and for now you are very content to be a cheerleader for your siblings in their sports.
Another big upcoming change is our move. We have lived in our home your entire life and the gravity of this change isn’t lost on you for a second.
You are the least excited about the new house, the life in the woods. The bugs especially are something you’re not looking forward to. Like mama, like daughter for sure!
I do think once we get moved in it’ll help you so much to be settled. The unknown is stressful and you are someone who can feel the emotions of others. I hate that you are impacted by the adult stresses we’re facing with all this house stuff and moving craziness. Amazing things are ahead!
With your passion for people and love for helping others I am so excited to see where God uses your talents in your life as you grow up.
It makes me so happy that you want to be just like me and aspire to grow up to be a mom and that you consider me your role model.
Although you may not see it right now (and don’t get me wrong…I love that you view me in this light!) I am far from perfect and I know you’ll grow up to figure out your own path in motherhood.
My prayer is that you know I’m always right here and my hope is that I have set a good example to follow. You’ll find areas to improve upon and things you’ll want to do differently with your own children – and I encourage you to do so and will support you along the way.
Right now your career goal is to be a mother. And baby, that’s enough. The world will tell you that you “need” to do more, be more. Being a mother is enough!
I do hope to help give you plenty of options should you desire or need to have side-hustles to help support your ability and desire to be home with your babies. If I were to pick a career path for you I could se you be an amazing Christian counselor.
You have such a gift and heart for others and would so incredibly well at this role. I also think it’d be rewarding and fulfilling for you! And it’d be an option that would allow you to be flexible with hours and be your own boss etc.
Of course Daddy and I will always support you, whatever path your heart may lead you!
Most importantly, your heart is one that loves the Lord.
You have made us so proud with the ways in which you’ve developed your own spirituality and relationship with God. You listen during services, take notes (literally on every detail!), and absorb what you learn as well as apply it to your life.
You knew for quite a while that baptism is essential to salvation. Your biggest hurdle was to accept that Jesus truly washes us clean, that we are forgiven and that Heaven is promised as long as we continue to strive to live faithfully.
We knew you were ready for baptism, but it isn’t a decision for us to make. It’s YOUR decision and it’s one you take very seriously. You waited until you were fully ready and I’m so thankful for that because I know when you have moments of doubt that you will be able to reflect back and remember the decision YOU made!
Best and biggest decision of your life and we are so incredibly proud, relieved and thankful that you made it. It was so special being in our backyard pool together and nothing feels better as a mama than knowing my baby will be in Heaven for eternity!
We had so many fun moments throughout this year. The Starcruiser was so epic (watching you in your role as “Hacker Tesla” as well as your crush on “Sandro” was precious). Attending your first FSU game (you weren’t too sure about the loud crowd and absorbing all the conflicting emotions was a tad overwhelming for you).
All of our Disney trips – the girls trip for Evie’s birthday was especially adorable. The two of you twinning down Main Street was the cutest thing! Our girls trip with just you, me and Britt though is always my fav of the year. I love how easy it is with the three of us together – we always have fun no matter what!
Our experience on the Disney Cruise was also so, so special. I had gifted the cruise trip for you girls Christmas 2019 but the trip was canceled during shutdown in 2020. So we literally waited three YEARS to finally set sail!
The wait was worth it and the Disney Wish was an absolute blast. You loved the kids club and didn’t mind one bit hanging out there with Spear and doing your own thing during the times when Britt headed to the tween club.
My favorite moment of the cruise was the last night with you and Britt and the three of us never wanting it to end. Meeting characters, sitting on the pool deck, and laying on the floor under the big light. Core memories made for sure!
It is a running joke in the family that you are everyone’s favorite. Each of your siblings feel their own special connection with you and will literally argue over who gets to spend time with you.
You are the go-between for all their relationships. Often playing sides depending on which one is more advantageous for you 😉 They will also use you as a pawn in their games or put you up to coming to ask Mommy or Daddy a question on their behalves.
You and Britt are pretty much inseparable which ALWAYS surprises people. SIsters who are 2.5 years apart and who are best friends? It is NOT common. Most girls bicker and argue – and, sure, that happens. But it is not the norm with the two of you! You truly WANT to be together and genuinely enjoy each other!
Just as much as you are close with Britt, you are also so close with Kye and Spear.
Kye and you are so much alike in so many ways and you have an easy relationship of understanding of each other in a way that none of the other siblings have. Britt is the yin to your yang and Kye is your compliment rather than the opposite.
As you get older I can see your bond with Kye deepening and strengthening. It is a gift and blessing to have someone who “gets you” and understands you and that is something the two of you uniquely share in so many ways!
And then there is Spear. Much as I always say that you were pure joy from the moment you were born, Spear has been YOUR baby since the moment he was born.
You adore him in a way that is more motherly than sisterly. He can be acting a fool and you’ll be staring at him lovingly and say “isn’t he so cute?” He has you completely wrapped but you don’t hesitate to step in and “mother” him from time to time too.
I have to remind you that I am his mother as sometimes you can overstep that boundary a bit but overall he adores the attention and admiration and you enjoy giving it!
I am so excited for your year of NINE!
For our family it is a milestone age as this is when I got my ears pierced as well as when Britt got her ears pierced.
We went to Disney to celebrate your birthday on your birthday trip and took you to the American Girl Doll Store for your ear piercing experience. You were so nervous but didn’t back down from going through with it. It hurt and you cried but you did it!
And you instantly look so much more grown up with those studs in your ears! My baby girl!
We had so much fun celebrating your birthday and you have said that this will be a hard trip to ever top for you. Getting to have Aunt Courtney’s fam with us was super special and getting to see my beautiful girl dressed as a little princess was one of my favorite things. It just makes MY heart so happy that you felt so loved and celebrated!!!
The past year with you, my precious daughter, has had so many magical moments and has been filled with so much joy.
I hope your special day fills you with lots of love, simple pleasures, and endless joy as that is the gift you give the world every single day by simply being you!
From the first time my eyes met yours I knew you were a true gift to this world and to my life. Even in those darkest days of sleep struggles and newborn woes (oh the hard work of sleep training a baby who never seemed to want to sleep ha!), having this lovely daughter in my arms made the rest of the world fade away.
You are not only an amazing daughter but also a best friend to everyone you meet. You are truly a shining star in a dark world and are not just an incredible daughter but a simply incredible person.
I am proud and honored to be your mom. I know you don’t love the idea of growing up but you will forever be my little girl. I will be right here with open arms each step of the way on this incredible journey of life.
I hope you have a very happy birthday and remember that I love you to the moon and back forever and ever and always.
Happy 9th Birthday wishes to my darling daughter. I love you so so much!
Love, Mommy
Past Birthday Wishes for my Dear Daughter:
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