Christmas Eve 1987

Does anyone else get reflective on their birthday? Today I turn 31 and I found myself thinking about the day I was born this morning when I woke up. So here I am at 7:30AM on my birthday capturing some thoughts in the best way I know how, writing them on this blog.

The Instagram-worthy story of Christmas Eve 1987 is a lot like that photo above. It’s a shiny, happy version of the story that I was a Christmas present come early. It’s that the hospital had red velvet stockings trimmed with off-white silk that were large enough to nestle the newborn babies into as their mothers, fathers, and relatives cuddled their newest bundles of Christmas joy.

The reality is that I was being born to a frightened 16-year-old girl and her family who were navigating watching their young daughter do something that even 30-year-old married women are terrified by.

In between contractions were whispered frustrations over whose last name I would have, how hospital bills would be paid, and who should really be in the delivery room.

Can you imagine?

Now that I’ve had a child of my own and have lived out 31 years with the people who vividly remember the day I was born, I’m in awe of what happened Christmas Eve 1987.

I’m in awe of the absolute pure love, strength, and protection in the hospital room the day I was born. The love of a mother and father for their 16-year-old daughter. The strength of that 16-year-old girl to bringing a human into a world that she herself was still so new to. The protection of those grandparents and mother for their new granddaughter and daughter that they have never, ever once let down in 31 years.

Sure, Christmas Eve 1987 was chaotic and stressful and frightful for these people that I love so much, but I hope they know how grateful and again, just in awe, of them I absolutely am.

So Mom, Nana, Papa… this blog post is for you. Because today I woke up feeling so excited that God blessed me with another year on His beautiful earth. Another year that again, I feel the blessings were so abundant in. But also because I woke up thinking about the early morning hours when I came into this earth 31 years ago and how you all made ultimate sacrifices so I could come into this world, be loved by you, and be set up to have these blessing poured down.

I love you Mom, thank you for your strength and continued support every single year.

I love you Nana, thank you for showering me with so much love that I can’t help but want to shower it upon everyone else I meet.

I love you Papa, thank you for being a steady and faithful example of how to live life (and for all your unsolicited, but always true advice :)).

This blog post leaves out so, so many other people that have blessed and enriched my life in so many ways, obviously. So to you aunts, uncles, cousins, family in general, husband, daughter, in-laws, friends that are family (I could go on and on) who aren’t specifically mentioned above, know that I am feeling very blessed for you too and all the ways you have loved and supported me over the past 31 years.

Today I just felt that those three people specifically deserved a shout-out as I kick off another Christmas Eve. Love y’all! 🙂

Have a happy Christmas Eve friends! Merry Christmas in advance!