Happy Birthday, Baby Boy

Today is a day filled with mixed emotions. It is, what my fifth graders described, my golden birthday. It's the day that I turn the exact age of the date my birthday fell on. In other words, I'm twenty-seven on the twenty-seventh.

There are moments about today that will feel golden, I'm sure. However, my heart is heavy today. Today is Alex's first birthday. What I would give to hold him and hug him today. What it would mean to me to be the one that lit the lone candle on his birthday cake. How precious it would be to see a picture of how he's grown.

We hesitated about whether or not to post these. We decided that, in an attempt NOT to share our pain, but rather to share the immense joy that Alex brought into our lives, we would share some pictures of our boy as we celebrate his birthday and the time we spent with him.

We hope and pray these images will stay with your heart so that you might join us in praying for Alex all the days of his life.

To my forever birthday buddy. I miss you more than words.

I also wanted to share a beautiful song written and performed by a dear family friend, Kristen Chiu. She wrote this song after I posted the blog about losing Alex. It took me awhile to listen to it, but when I did I was so moved. I will cherish this song always.

The moment we met you. The best day of my life to date.

I pray today that someone is making a huge deal about the fact that you are one! It is my prayer that you are growing healthy and strong. I pray fervently, most of all, that you feel cherished on this special day. I pray  that somewhere, deep in your heart, you feel our never-ending love coming to you. 

Please enjoy this beautiful, heartfelt song written and performed by Kristen Chiu.