It's hard to believe there are 18 years between these pictures.
It's difficult to even put this celebratory post together. My mind is swarming with floods of memories from the past eighteen years and exciting dreams of the days still to come all while there's a big lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I am so incredibly proud of Lily and the woman she is turning in to. Trustworthy, confident, beautiful, just, fun, diligent, witty, loyal, social, discerning, intelligent, hard-working. I simply can't find all the right words to articulate my thoughts and fully describe the incredible person that Lily is.
M.M. Coder said: She looks like you. She acts like you. She reminds you of your younger self yet she is so unique. She is smarter than you were. She is stronger than you were. She is all the best parts of you and so very much more. And still more. She is herself. She is beautiful. She is your baby all grown up. She is an amazing you woman, and she is a gift.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Ryan and I treated Lily to dinner at Marcel's on her birthday. It was a wonderful meal, and I'm thankful for this time together. I asked my list of favorites while we were there. It's fun to see how "favorites" change (or don't) over time. Here is a list of some of 18-year-old Lily's favorite items:
- Color: Pink
- Movie: Legally Blonde
- TV Show: Only Murders in the Building
- Book: Powerless
- Drink: Dr. Pepper
- Food: Chicken Biscuit
- Friend: Avery Hobson
- Bible Verse: 1 Timothy 4:12
- School Subject: Honestly, free period, but true subjects - Literature
- Activity: Mock Trial
- Place to Go: Friends' Houses
- Game to Play: Wavelength
- Restaurant: Cava
- Animal: Otter
- Memory from the last year: Being a SALT at Camp Crestridge in July
- Most Thankful For: My friends
- Goal this year: Finish high school strong
As much as I love my sweet girl and wish I could hold on to her forever, I truly cannot wait to watch Lily take her next steps. There are many wonderful days ahead for her!
