A Very Spunky Birthday to Pink

Dear Pink,

You know how you’re growing so fast that sometimes you have to shove really hard to get your mismatched-sock-wearing feet crammed into your favorite party shoes? Well, that’s kind of what I picture it being like when God passed out personalities. He saw your itty-bitty little newborn body and said, “No way I’m giving up yet. I can shove a whole lot more spunk in there! It might be tight, but it will look gooo-oood.” And He did.

He gave you eyes that not only dance, but shout. And you use them every moment you possibly can.

He gave you the voice of an angel and the lyrics to the Frozen soundtrack (and Nana gave you that Frozen sing-a-long microphone, of course). And, much to your brothers’ chagrin, you use them every moment you possibly can.

He gave you the ability to turn your thoughts into sweet songs, making everything you say—from, “I look so pretty today!” to “You wore that yesterday…Don’t you wanna take a quick shower? Ava’s mom would.”—sound perfectly adorable.

He gave you arms—and words—that hug all the way through to the soul.

He gave you the confidence to boss others, to be bossed by others, and to be the boss of yourself. Sometimes it seems like your gentleness and strength shouldn’t quite go together, but the truth is, they wouldn’t be the same without each other.

He gave you—as the fabulously entertained woman in the grocery store parking lot put it the other day—a unique command of color and patterns. Yes, not a day goes by that you don’t express your wonderful sense of style and confidence with a new outfit combination or an unusual hairdo (my personal favorite was the wrap-around-the-face front ponytail you requested to keep your chin warm…until you realized it “made-ed you not breathe good”).

He gave you the ability to truly bask in joy, surprise, happiness, enthusiasm, and laughter. Your highs are so much more intense and frequent than your lows.

He gave you the courage to ask, and ask, and ask for (ok, more like tell us) what you want—be it someone to play dolls with you, to go higher…higher…higher, macaroni and cheese for dinner, or an iPhone + an iPod + a computer for your birthday. (Even you can’t charm us into getting your way on that last one, though.)

He gave you a smile that melts hearts and a heart that soars.

So, today, we celebrate you—and your wildly wonderful, spunky self. Yes, your big day is finally here. No more sleeps—you’re officially 4 years old! I can’t wait to see what this year brings you, as well as those of us who are lucky enough to have a front-row seat to your show.

Love,
Mom

Photo courtesy of Jenny Lee Photography.