Here’s something you should know about me up front, I’m not a birthday person. I think it’s great when other people are, it’s just not how I was raised. So birthday parties are always an afterthought for my kiddos. I much prefer to celebrate Christmas in a big way. I do try to give my kids a little family celebration with a cake and a theme. Each year, I decorate the table after they go to sleep so they can feel special when they wake up.
This year, for her 5th birthday, Addy (her name is Kennedy but we gave her the nickname Addy so people wouldn’t shorten her name to “Ken”) wanted a wedding theme. Yea, you read that right, she wanted to be a bride. A visit to etsy while on the road, a party store and hobby lobby back at home and we were set. She was going to marry her daddy and “it would be cute,” I thought. I didn’t expect the kind of emotion it pulled out of this self-proclaimed cold mom. I’m not really “cold,” that’s dramatic, I think, but I’m not in-touch with them feels that many women carry on their sleeves. Not on this day, though.
It’s little unexpected moments like this that make me breathe deep and know that I am so blessed to have the kids I do. Sometimes they drive me straight to the loony bin (and I’m not sugar coating that…sometimes I don’t like being a mom) but every once in a while I feel so overwhelmed with love and pride I can’t breathe. Today was one of those moments. As I took this picture I cried into the back of my camera.
How is she mine? How is she so grown up? How will I make the most of the last 13 years I have with her in my house? How can I keep this feeling?
I can see myself in 20 years pulling out these pictures of my little baby as she’s about to get married (if she decides she wants to…no pressure from me). I can see me crying then just like I did today as I watched her pretend to be grown up. I saw a glimpse of my future today and it was so sweet and beautiful.
Here are the pictures from the day. We tried to do everything a real bride would do on her wedding day:
Oh my! This is just darling. The picture of her with Boston and Teagan as her bridesmaids had me choking up!
What a great mom you are (and dad). As an outsider looking in, I can see a lot of effort that went into this party….all a gift of love. Great job to to the “Mother of the Bride” 🙂
I’m balling my eyes out while reading your blog. What beautiful memories you captured with your camera but more so you have now captured in Kennedy’s heart and mind. She will ever forget this magical and special birthday. She’ll tell her future husband some day, she’ll tell her own children and she remember it fondly because you were such a big part of it. God bless you Lindsay!
This is by far the sweetest thing I have ever seen! My favorite pic is the one with her at the top of the stairs with Michael looking at her. Melts me! ♥♥♥
This is the sweetest thing ever! I am teary-eyed over here seeing the look on her face when she’s holding her daddy’s hand. She looks so proud! You have a beautiful family and I love being able to peak into your moments. Thanks for sharing!
ya did good, momma…
Awwwww…look at her smile!!! And the happiness in her eyes! Ooooh her eyes! ❤️❤️❤️