Dear Eva,

Dear Eva,

You are my sunshine.  My only sunshine.  You make me happy when skies are gray.  You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.  Please don't take my sunshine away.

This has been our song since the day you were born.  It runs through my mind every single time I look into your eyes.  When you spent the first nine months of your life screaming your head off.  When you scored your first soccer goal.  When you became an amazingly proficient reader.  When you work hard on getting over the bumps in your road.  When you smile.  Oh, love, you have the most amazing smile.  It absolutely lights up the skies. 

Yesterday, you turned eight years old.  I cannot believe you've only been in my life for that long.  I feel like your soul and mine have been linked forever.  Truthfully, you have become my soul.  You are completely honest and honorable.  You are thoughtful and kind.  You are smart and strong.  And, you are beautiful in every way.  You have been thrown some curveballs and you have managed each with grace and a gentle spirit.  I cannot imagine the strength you use on a daily basis.

Of course, you are still just a kid!  You are an amazing soccer player and are really starting to find your way on the basketball court too.  You are faster and stronger than any other little girl I know.  My chest wants to explode with pride every time you don one of your jerseys.  From the day you were born, your favorite place has always been outside.  So, it makes perfect sense that you have become such an athlete.  You love writing and art too.  And, while I don't think you'll be named Picasso at any point, your stories always make me smile.

Eva, you are the most amazing kid.  I could not be more proud of you, though I take no credit for who you are.  There's no way I could've guided you to the near-perfection you have found.  The only person who could've accomplished that is you.

You will always be my only sunshine - making me happy though skies are gray.

Always,

Mama