1. She cooked her first meal at the ripe ol’ age of 3. Sure, sure, it was instant oatmeal, but still.
2. She once got a bead stuck up her nose.
3. She was born in Virginia 21 years ago today.
4. She was supposed to be born on Halloween.
5. She is part native American.
6. She can fall asleep anywhere. Home, college, bed, floor, wall, shopping cart at Wal-mart, anywhere.
7. She completely understands this: “I said consummate V’s! CONSUMMATE!”
8. She cannot imagine living on this earth without spending a large part of her time helping other people.
9. She has the softest skin there ever was, ever.
10. She loves to see things grow.
11. She does not like my cats.
12. The first birthday present she ever got was a gold fish.
13. She is always right. And even when she’s wrong, she’s not, really.
14. She loves John Legend.
15. She also loves the Spice Girls.
16. She totally understands this: “Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?”
17. She’s been on TV. Several times.
18. She has learned to tolerate birds, though secretly, she thinks they’re plotting against us.
19. She is a first generation Nick Jr. watcher. She was so into Eureeka’s Castle.
20. She loves to watch the sky at night - especially during a meteor shower.
21. When I could leave the hospital and bring my daughter home after she was born, I bundled her up tight in pink blankets. I wrapped both my arms around her and walked through the door. Outside, the wind was cold. I held her as close as I could, knowing instantly that I would always want to protect her and never let her go.

I still feel exactly the same way.

I love you.

Madre