Dear Gage

Dear Gage,

Four years and thirteen days. That's how much older Brayden is than you, and today you are three. You never fail to remind me that you and he are two very different people, each of you having separate and individual personalities. While your brother is inquisitive about the world you are and have been fiercely independent right from the very beginning of your life.

There are times when you slow down for a moment or two that I'm able to steal a glance at you and every time I'm amazed at what I find behind your sweet brown eyes. The way you see the world amazes me, always something new out there, always something to be learned, a new feat the accomplish. As you get older it gets so much easier for life to bring you down, but somehow I know that deep down perhaps you'll always see it as an adventure.

Don't stop learning about of the things that make the earth move, the emotions that drive people, and the love behind it all. With that knowledge you can do quite literally anything. In the three short years that I've had the extreme joy of watching you grow, I've become sure that you will have some lofty goals, all of which you have the power to achieve. Always strive to be the best person that you can be, with the kindest heart that you can have. Have compassion. Be generous.

Please know that no one is perfect. In life you are bound to make mistakes and at one point or another you will fail. Always look to the good in the world and draw your strength from that, finding joy in the small moments of your life. If you do that you will be sure to remain optimistic. Learn from your mistakes, grow, adapt, but don't ever lose the things that provide you with spirit and love. Remain optimistic.

As you grow make sure that you hold firm to the parts of you that make you who you are. Your independence and thirst for knowledge is just as important as your honest nature and integrity. Your love of humanity is just as important as your imagination. Life is short, hold firm to what makes you you.

I love and adore you Gage. Your independence and drive to things for yourself, your ability to learn from your mistakes and drive to push forward and try again, watching you learn about what makes the world go 'round, your smiles and your cries. Looking at the world through your eyes has taught me to never take a single thing for granted, right down to the cool breeze on a summer day, to sinking my toes in the dirt. Life is an experience, and I'm so thrilled that I get to share it with you. Happy 3rd Birthday.

I love you and am so proud of you, each and every day my love and pride for you grows.

Forever yours,
-Momma