Let's see if I can get through this post without shedding a couple of tears.
My friends, it's finally here, my daughter turns 16 today and I am feeling extremely emotional. This beautiful little red head that was placed in my arms and made me a mother for the first time, is now this gorgeous independent, self assured 16 year old young woman and I don't quite know how to handle that.
Proud doesn't even come close to what I feel for this child.
She hasn't always been the easiest to raise, truth be told, her strong personality and her stubbornness are traits which I admire but also detest at times. She's a handful to be sure.
But, she is also the sweetest and kindest, and funniest, loving, honest, trustworthy, big hearted, sensitive girl I've ever come across and I couldn't have asked for a better daughter.
16 is a huge milestone, it's that big step towards womanhood, it opens up a whole new set of responsibilities and gets her one step closer to graduating and being out of the house.
As a mom I want to hold on to her for the rest of my life, I don't want to let her go, I want to continue picking her up when she falls, cradling her in my arms or rocking her to sleep when she's not feeling well.
I kept thinking that I wouldn't be able to do that anymore now that she's a young lady, but truth is, I can, it is just different in the way I am there for her.
I've sat with her when she was hurting, I've held her in my arms when she had a fight with her boyfriend, I've nursed her back to health when she wasn't feeling well, I've helped her with school work, I've talked to her for hours about everything and anything, we've shared laughs, and she's held me up when I'm down.
I know some moms cringe at the word friend and believe you should never be your children's friend, only their mom. I happen to believe the opposite, I don't think you need to not be their friend to be a good mother. Thankfully I am both to this gorgeous girl and I wouldn't have it any other way.
So, here we are, 16 years old, with the whole world before her and I am so happy that I get a front row seat to watch it all unfold.
For now though, I'm going to sit and cry a little because I can't believe she's actually this old.
Happy Birthday Jasmine, I love you with every fiber of my being and I'm so proud of the young woman you've become. :)
12 comments:
Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter! I agree... there's nothing wrong with being friends with your kids! :) I think it's best actually!! Enjoy your day!
Happy 16th Birthday dear Jasmine. I've watched you grow through your mother's blog posts the past few years and you are one beautiful young lady.
Dear Sandra ~ Jasmine is beautiful and she looks like her Mama.
Have a lovely weekend ~ FlowerLady
Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter and hugs to you too Sandra! xx
Happy Sweet 16 to your daughter!
I couldn't agree more - I think friendship develops naturally in the best of mother/daughter relationships. By the time I was 16 my mom was my very best friend.
Enjoy this special day!
Happy Birthday to Jasmine! I can't believe she is 16!
Hope your child has a wonderful birthday and an exciting year ahead w/ new possibilities in a new home state!! My son just turned 16 last September - and suddenly, he's so grown up: driving (!!!), has a job now, and just being so dang RESPONSIBLE!! LOL :)
It is a blessing and yet, just so bittersweet.
I too love being both a parent and a friend to my kids. I just LOVE having teenagers in my home!! Usually. ;)
Happy Birthday! What a beautiful young lady.... Yes, Sandra they grow up fast, faster than you want, my oldest is 32 in the Air Force, 13 years now, hard to believe, my youngest is 26 will be 27 in June, expecting her 1st baby in July, and I turned 50 in January... Omg time has flown...I have enjoyed every moment of it though....by the way, I It's the red hair that makes her so feisty, lol, I know, because I have red hair too..:)
Blessings
Rhonda
Me again, by the way, my daughter other than my husband is my best friend, we are extremely close....so we are some lucky ladies....cherish it...
Blessings
Rhonda
Happy birthday to Jasmine! Being a mom to teens is so darn HARD!!! You're doing a beautiful job :)
Sherry
My goodness Sandra, but when I saw the photo of Jasmine in the blue dress, it was plain that she is the mirror of you, albeit with red hair. Happy birthday, Jasmine, but also happy birth day, to you Sandra, for these milestones are also anniversaries of those special days so long ago. I know how you feel, because I've felt much the same about my eldest, also a daughter. God bless you all!
Such a beautiful post! Happy belated to Jasmine - such a gorgeous Girl!
God bless for a beautiful year ahead sweet sixteen. ;)
xoxo
I'm finally getting caught up on all my blog reading. I told her Happy Birthday on facebook and instagram. I can't believe she's 16!!!
I agree about the friend thing. I always tell my kids that I'm always their friend, but sometimes I have to be a mom first. That's usually when I'm dishing out a punishment and they're crying saying "you don't want to be my friend anymore." I feel like if you don't have a friendship with your kids, when they are grown and you don't tell them what to do anymore, how else will they want to be around?
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