I never knew.

Now that you are three, I can honestly say I never knew how life-changing the year of you being two would be—for me.

From the day you turned two all the way through the day you turned three, you taught me more about life, love, myself, and you than I could have ever imagined.

Oh, the days were long, my little firework, but I wouldn’t dare change a single moment.

Your learning, your growing, and your changing led me to a new understanding of the meaning of humanity, a new understanding of you, and miraculously, a new understanding of me.

You sparked emotions in me I never felt before.

You ignited patience in me I didn’t know I was capable of having.

You brought out compassion in me that grew from the depths of my soul.

You inspired authenticity in me that aligned with my hopes and dreams for you.

You taught me how to bend, melt, and soften against the hard grains of our outside lives.

You taught me how to be still, be quiet, be calm amidst the loud, chaos of our outside worlds.

Your determination and focus led me to humility and humbleness.

Your curiosity and confusion led me to creativity and clarity.

Your attachment and sensitivity led me strength and empathy.

While there were days when our tears may have run until our wells were empty, there were more moments when our hugs were tighter than any embrace I’ve every known.

While there were days when our communication may not have been as clear as we’d have liked, there were more moments when our souls met eye to eye.

While there were days when we pushed and pulled in opposite directions without even knowing why, there were more moments when we connected right in the very moment we needed it most.

While there were days when our wants and needs may have been far from met, there were more moments when our hearts overflowed with love and understanding for one another.

And so, now that you are three, I can honestly say I never knew…

I never knew how beautiful your year of two would be.

I never knew how changing your year of two would be.

I never knew how enlightening your year of two would be.

Now that you are three, I never knew how much I would miss your year of two.

But then again, I still miss your year of one and the first twelve months of you being here with me.

So, my love, I look forward to when you turn four and I can look back on all we’ve changed, learned, loved and shared in your year of being three.

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