Today we celebrate our daughter Clementine’s first birthday. What a year this has been! She has brought us more joy than we knew was possible and we feel so lucky to be her parents. Every night we sit in bed reflecting on the day and thinking about how incredible it is to be around her, watching her and helping her grow. She has changed our lives and filled a hole we never even knew we had.

Becoming a mother has been the greatest gift in the entire world. In a year that has felt very unexpected and out of control, she has been the light. Seeing her pure innocence and raw happiness makes me stop, be present, and truly enjoy the moments in life that mean the most. I love watching her fascination, curiosity, and determination. The way she finds delight in the simplest of things, like putting her hands up in the air when the wind blows, or watching ants crawl around collecting food, or the giggles that take over her when we sneeze. Every day she learns something new from the world around her, something we usually take for granted. Through her, I am learning, too. Learning to slow down and enjoy what is front of me.

Wishing you the happiest first birthday our darling girl. We love you forever.