nine

Happy birthday, sweet nine year old.

It was not your typical birthday and was, hopefully, the only birthday we'll celebrate in this family during a pandemic. You could have felt a little sorry for yourself, having your birthday fall during quarantine and robbing you of the chance to celebrate with friends or with a fun outside-of-our-house activity, but you mostly did not. (There was a sad moment the day before when you realized it was going to be cold and rainy on your birthday, depriving you of the chance to play with water in the backyard, your one big request for the day.) We all tried our best to make sure you felt loved and celebrated all day long and you told me at bedtime that it was a really fun birthday, so I think we succeeded. 

You woke up to a bedroom decorated by Gracie while you were asleep. You came downstairs to find presents and flowers lined up for you in the dining room. Your first present to open was a new outfit, which you immediately put on and looked adorable in. Your teacher announced your birthday on a school Zoom call and your classmates serenaded you. Gram and Grandpa shocked you by driving here from Decatur to ring the front doorbell and give you a birthday hug in person. I'm still smiling thinking about your reaction. We spent the day having a fire pit and playing games and eating your favorite foods and giggling. Two friends stopped by for a porch birthday visit. You got calls and texts throughout the day from loved ones. We spread out opening your presents and took time to play with each one, the walkie talkies being the biggest hit but the bow and arrow set being a close second. You picked the movie and we had a theatre in the living room complete with popcorn and Sour Patch Kids. Dad and Drew cooked your requested birthday dinner (stir fry) and then you blew out the candles on your requested dessert of an ice cream cake. You asked to get to stay up late to watch the finale of The Voice and we, of course, agreed. I tucked you in and you gave me a fierce hug as a thank you for the day. 

 

We love you, our Katie Bear. Hope you always know it.