On this day, just a a few minutes from now, ten years ago, Ben and I became parents for the very first time. Our journey to Sydney turns out to be a lot like the little one that she is- difficult, emotional, and filled with love and joy. I can still remember almost every detail of that day. Maybe because I’ve told the story so many times or maybe because it was such a dramatic, fast entry to parenthood after what felt like the longest year of our lives (miscarriage plus “taking forever to get pregnant again!”). To be sensitive to those who have experienced true infertility that lasted beyond the short time ours did— like Sydney, I feel things BIG and that short journey for me was painful and terrifying, and has forever given me empathy for someone going through the journey to motherhood that has taken a turn their dreams didn’t prepare them for.
Ben and I are without doubt not the same people who showed up to that hospital on January 14, 10 years ago. We’ve learned that truth and grace is a hard balance to master and have tried to lean more towards grace when we aren’t sure. We’ve learned that it doesn’t always have to be either/or and that both/and seems more consistent with WWJD.
Sydney entered this world with dramatic flair. She came after a devastating miscarriage followed by a year of frustrating “trying.” She came after 2 weeks of bed rest because she tried to come a whole month early. She came after what I would later learn was precipitous labor (aka sooo fast!). She came without a cry and was the only baby not placed immediately on my chest. (Thankfully a little stimulation and some blow by oxygen and she was pink and screaming!). Ben was the first to hold her and she likes to tell people this is why she is a daddy’s girl.
She has a heart of gold and hearing every single teacher she has ever had comment on this is one of my greatest joys. When she was little, I told someone she is challenging but you can change behaviors but you can’t make someone have love and compassion, and that’s 100% still where we are! She is one of the kindest, most generous kids I have ever met. Even yesterday at breakfast in Disney, I asked her why she took longer in the restroom and she said “Oh I was just talking to the janitor for a minute. I wanted her to feel important today! ”
7 pounds, 10.5 oz, 20.5 inches long- she wasn’t or biggest or smallest baby. She’s now a tiny thing- just over 50 pounds and tall enough to ride all the rides at Six Flags but still probably the shortest in her class! (We shall measure her today- ha!)
She is brilliant but like I told her today- I don’t think her brilliance/giftedness is going to be through academics, although she does well there. Her brilliance shines through her creativity-Art, Music, Dance, etx. She has sewn a pair of pants, done a cartwheel on a balance beam, and sang a solo in front of more than one full auditorium- all things I will never do in my lifetime.
She simultaneously melts me and brings me to my breaking point on the regular. I am so proud to be her momma and so thankful for privilege Ben and I have been given to help her navigate life and hopefully, ultimately, point her to Jesus in all we do.
Happy 10th birthday to my firstborn. My rainbow baby. You bring joy to everyone around you. You are going to change the world and we are so, so proud of you! ❤️🎈🎉. Today, we shall celebrate you in the Magic Kingdom!
The Brooks Family 