To My Eldest Son, On His Fourth Birthday

Dear Caesar,
Your father and I were VERY young when you became, what people call, a twinkle in our eyes. But you were content to wait a few years before finally joining our family. Your timing was beautiful.

Upon learning of my pregnancy with you, we were on Cloud 11, euphoric beyond words and so anxious to meet you.

We would sit for hours and ponder you; would you have my eyes, like your big sister inherited? Would you have Daddy's nose? What would your personality be like? Would you pick up any of the interesting traits from our long genetic lines, come out with blonde hair or something really kooky?

And my son, at four years old, you have surpassed my wildest imagination, my most vivid dreams of you. Every day, there is a moment where I stare at you and I am astounded that I had a hand in your creation.

You are the spitting image of your mother, with your father's best physical traits tossed in. You have his top lip, my bottom lip and a button sized version of Daddy's nose, my eyes, the perfect combination of our hair and a cinnamon skin tone that I relish. Your skinny little chicken wing arms, and your knobby knees are, I'm sorry to say, something you get from me. Personality wise, you are your father if he were more highstrung.

You are charming, even with your grumpy frumpy mean face on. And you are quick witted and sarcastic, as well as a formidable opponent to debate with. I love your logic. You are so intelligent, and your brain reaches out for as much information as it can stand. You are very creative and an insanely quick learner.

You are also our biggest pain in the ass, with your aversion to even the simplest of changes throwing you into a sickening tizzy, it takes all the patience we can muster not to sell you to a zoo!

When I first held you, I never thought that you'd be who you are, four years later. And I am incredibly proud to say "You see that kid wearing the turtle shirt and eating his boogers when he should be singing along with the rest of his class? That's MY son."

You fill my life with an indescribable joy and I am so thankful to be able to watch you grow.

Honu, have a most wonderful Fourth Birthday. I wish so many more for you, and hope that your years exceed all the greatness you imagine.

I love you, my Prince. Happy Birthday!