365 DAYS OF LOVING YOU: A Letter & 1 Second Everyday Video

‘I don’t believe in magic.’

The young boy said.

The old man smiled.

‘You will, when you see her.’

– Atticus

 
My dear Gracie. I now believe in magic, because you–sweet girl–are pure magic. Thank you for making me a mama, and for showing me what it’s like to have my very own heart walk around outside of my body. I will never be the person I once was–I will never again be the same person I was before you. You have filled little nooks and crevices inside my heart that I never even knew existed.

I remember before I had you people told me to enjoy the time I had left before you came earth side. What fools they were! I can’t believe I lived this long without you. Today, on your first birthday, I want to freeze time simply to make sure you know how much I love you in this moment, and how much more I love you every single day.

When I look at you, I am so proud. I am proud of my body for carrying you for 9 months and for nursing you for a year more. I am proud of you. I am proud of how happy you are and how effortlessly you bring joy to those around you.

I love how you always notice when I wear new earrings–how you touch my ear so gently and look at me like you’ve never seen anyone prettier.

I love how you wave to every single person that passes, and how confused you get when they don’t wave back–and how it breaks my heart.

I love how excited you get when you see a stuffed animal, how you inhale and make the loudest, weirdest ‘ooooo’ sound.

I love how you smack your lips after I let you use my chapstick, and how you think the remote is a phone and put it to your ear to answer it.

I love how your favorite food is thai curry and how you sign for ‘milk’ all day long.

I love how you suck your thumb when you’re scared and how you stick your hand down my shirt for comfort.

I love how you hate Adele songs, how you open-mouth kiss dogs, how you think zebras moo, how you say ‘high five,’ and how much you love your mama and dada. You are our everything, Bunner, and we love you so much. Happy Birthday, Gracie Kat.

 
P.S. I made this video with the app ‘1SE’ (1 Second Everyday). My tip: set your iPhone camera to take ‘Live Photos.’ This app turns ‘Live Photos’ into video!