Dear Tem Tem,

A friend once said he’s usually at his happiest on his children’s birthdays. So much so that he’d walk around with a grin the whole day. He would also find himself entertaining requests he would normally take his time to consider on other days. Nothing and no one could dampen his mood when any of his kids were celebrating the age milestone.

I found this revelation interesting and wondered if I would feel the same way when I started having kids of my own.

My dearest,

As you turn two, I am thrilled that I can now relate to that friend’s experience.

I look at you and I wonder how I got so lucky. My heart is filled with indescribable joy, and many times, I almost have to pinch myself to come to terms with the reality that God chose me to be your custodian on this side.

I find myself muttering words of thanks to God for the unquantifiable gift that you are.

My precocious, rambunctious, impish little girl,

You are the physical evidence of God’s love for me.

You and your dada… but today, it’s all about you.

Our journey together these past two years has been one of sheer discovery for me. Navigating the twists and turns of motherhood has been a humbling, learning, and exhilarating experience for me all at once. I have come face to face with vulnerability and my strength in equal measure.

I have been stretched and continue to figure out how the one who created you would have me mother you.

Has it been easy? Not exactly.

But you give the most adorable and squiggly random hugs and kisses that can melt the hardest of hearts.

And how can I forget the ecstatic dance you burst into when I come home from work. It has become the highlight of my day, so much so that I would go “awww” in disappointment on the few occasions I return to find you sleeping.

Because of you, I am reminded that there’s an almighty who indeed makes everything right in his time.

My baby and firstborn child,

I want you to know that you have a mum who will come undone for you.

I would give up my life for you without thinking twice.

Your mum is resilient, tenacious, hardworking, and brilliant. And she’ll try to inculcate these values in you.

You are my personal project and I can’t wait to teach you everything I know…and enlist the help of others to teach you the things I do not know.

So brace up; there’s a ton of learning to do.

I also cannot wait for our girls’ gist and all the shenanigans we will get up to together, because what is life without a sprinkle of mischief.

So you need to grow up fast…but not too fast.

My Tem,

You may look like your dad physically but I can already see that you have my spunk.

Of that, I am grateful.

My promise to you this day is that you’ll never have any cause to doubt your mother’s love for you and what extent she’d go to see you excel in life.

I hope you read this someday soon with a smile on your face.

You are light, you are love, you are everything I dreamed of and more.

Happy Birthday, my darling.

May be universe be kind to you all the days of your life.