Dear Izzy,
You are 8. Wow! I never imagined being a mother to an eight year old. I used to marvel at the fact my own body grew a baby. Now I look at the way your tiny limbs have unfurled to reveal long, willowy arms and legs, and can hardly believe you’re real.
Dear Izzy,
Never stop daydreaming. Even when I tell you to because you’re distracted and not getting on with what I’ve asked you to do. Stay there in your imagination always, follow it wherever it takes you.
Dear Izzy,
I love that you love books. I never tire of seeing you curled up, almost foetal, and lost in whatever you are reading. I know you’re being transported somewhere amazing, that you’re learning things I could never teach you, seeing places I may never take you. I’m so proud of you for appreciating the beauty of books, and the peace and stillness they can afford.
Dear Izzy,
You’re right to write everything down. Keep scribbling in your notebooks, penning songs, dreaming up poems and drawing comic strips. Fill your diary with memories, thoughts, wishes.. anything. Stories are so important.
Dear Izzy,
Always ask questions. When I don’t know the answer we’ll figure it out together. Let’s fathom mysteries, uncover new nuggets of information, slot together all the pieces of the puzzle.
Dear Izzy,
Keep singing. I know I complain when I have a headache and your brother is shouting and I’m trying to cook dinner and talk on the phone at the same time. Pick your moments, but know that your voice is beautiful. Your face lights up as the melodic words tumble forth. Your eyes shine. I hope it always makes you as happy as it does now.
Dear Izzy,
Always love your brother as you do now. When he’s older and less adorable, remember the way he holds your hand all the way home from school, tells you he’s missed you and calls you his best friend. Jesse will look after you long after we do, he’ll share memories that no one else can and understand the roots from which you’ve grown.
Dear Izzy,
Know that we love you. Always, and no matter what.
Happy birthday baby girl.
Love Audrey xxx
PS. This post was partly inspired by the beautiful letters The Start-Up Wife writes each of her children on their birthdays.
This is beautiful. Happy 8th Birthday Izzy, much love xxx
Much love to you too Laura
xxx
All beautiful but the second from last one really got me. I’m 27 & my brother is 31 and we really are the best of friends because only WE know what we’ve come from and been through.
Happy birthday Izzy, you’re incredibly beautiful.
I feel the same about my sister. It’s such a precious connection.
xxx
These letters brought tears to my eyes! Such a lovely gift for your daughter, hope she has a lovely birthday.
Your auntie Sally introduced me to this blog and i enjoy reading your posts and looking at photos 🙂 sally and my mum are v good friends, they met doing their nurse training!
X
Oh Rosie, thank you. Lovely to ‘meet’ you in a virtual sense! I didn’t even know my Aunt Sally read my blog!
xxx
And you too! Im not too sure if she does but she told me about it and all about your lovely wedding! x
Such a beautiful post! Happy Birthday to your little girl!
Happy birthday and congrats Frankie, your words are beautiful.xxx
Thank you lovely lady xxx
She is such a beautiful girl! You must be very proud indeed 🙂
Thank you Victoria, she looks so like her Daddy in these pictures. And yes, I’m very, very proud 😀
xxx
What a beautiful way of celebrating your daughter. Thanks for sharing this Franky, it has reminded me remember the important things and to always be astounded by the special people in my life. x
Thank you Lucy, I completely agree!
xxx
Oh that made me a bit tearful, just so gorgeous, especially with all your lovely photos! Happy birthday Izzy, hope you all have a fab day celebrating xx
Thank you Helen! A compliment from you about my photography means an awful lot 🙂
xxx
Sob! Happy Birthday beautiful clever Izzy. Chloe is very much looking forward to seeing you at the weekend. We think you’re a very special girl xxxx
Yay! We can’t wait {although I am not ready for the party at all yet!}
xxx
This is so lovely, I’ve been wanting to write to my girls ever since I saw Emily’s beautiful idea on her blog too, made me shed a tear this one a Franks.
Have a lovely day Izzie, happy birthday 🙂
xXxXx
Aww, this is lovely Frankie! Hope Izzy has a lovely day : )
Great that she enjoys reading and writing too xx
This is beautiful, what a lovely idea.
Thank you Marlene x
Oh these words are just so beautiful and precious. Writing to our children is such a wonderful thing to do. I don’t think we always have enough time in the day to tell them all these things, so writing them down for the them to read forever more is an amazing gift.
Thank you for the mention!
I hope you’ve all had a beautiful celebration today xxx
Thank you so much Emily,we had a wonderful day celebrating 🙂
xxx
I love these letters, what a beautiful idea x
Thank you Sharon x
This is wonderful! I’ve started something similar when my daughter was born- I’ve been writting her letters in a journal that I’ll give to her eventually.
I hope she has a wonderful birthday! 8 is a fantastic age!
That is a beautiful idea. It will make such a precious gift for her one day. I must write more and save them for a rainy day when my two are both older.
xxx
What a beautiful post…! You are such a wonderful mom Franky! Hope one day if i be even a tiny bit as good as you i`ll be happy. Happy birthday izzy 🙂 xxx
Thank you lovely lady, so kind of you to say.
xxx