Today is my Miranda’s 19th birthday! How time has flown and what a sweet and oh-so-sassy young lady you have become! I couldn’t be a prouder mom (except maybe if you kept your room a little cleaner) 
I’m so glad you stayed at home this year so I could have one more year with you. It has been a great…and interesting…year. I love you so much and will miss you when you go off to Gardner-Webb University next year, but will be praying for you to love your experience there! But it’s okay if you come home to visit…often…even if it is just for me to do your laundry 
Every birthday we pass, I always think about when you were born. Everyone left the hospital around midnight because the doctor said it would be sometime the next day, but you had different plans. As soon as they left, my water broke and you came into this world at 3;46 AM, 6lb 2oz, and 19 1/4 inches long. You were little and feisty then, and you haven’t changed a bit!
I wanted to share the very first letter I wrote to you. I remember writing it when I was sitting in the recliner with you beside me in your bassinet, wearing your Winnie-the-Pooh onesie. I was writing in your baby book and had the camera ready, waiting for a smile in your sleep.
Here’s my very first letter to you:
Dear Miranda,You’re exactly 24 days old now and the last 3 & 1/2 weeks have been quite an experience! You’re lying right beside me now while I’m writing this kicking your blanket off and wanting me to put your pacifier back in your mouth when it falls out (which is every few minutes…or even seconds!)I hope you will like your name, Miranda. You have no idea how hard we worked picking it out. I bought a book called 20,000 Baby Names and I had to go buy another one—it wasn’t enough! You came very close to being names Sarah Elizabeth (after your grandmothers), but the name “Sarah” is very popular right now. WE wanted you to have a name that was different than everyone else’s. As soon as you were born I knew we’d picked out the right name for you—Miranda.I never dreamed what a wonderful baby you’d be. You rarely cry and then only if something is wrong. You seem to be fairly cold natured (like me) and you do not like to be cold…you always let us know right away! You’re absolutely beautiful. Your head is just perfectly shaped, you have lots of light brown hair (with a few red highlights), big, wide blue eyes, and the sweetest little mouth I’ve ever seen! Every seems to marvel at how long your fingers are and how big your feet are. I have to admit you probably got both from me. I say you’ll be a piano player and daddy teases me and says you might palm a basketball?!? But don’t worry, we’ll let you decide what you want to be. I want you to be able to try anything you want to—whether it be dancing, gymnastics, piano, basketball, or soccer, we’ll do our best to be there to watch all those endeavors!I have to admit, it scares me to death to think about raising a little girl in this world we live in. Everything in this world seems so bad now—I wonder how much longer God will leave this world here. But since God has blessed us with you, I’m going to do my best to teach you everything I can to help you live a happy, healthy life with God leading you every step of the way. You must remember, though, that you are our first and we are very new at this parenting thing. So I hope that you will know that everything your daddy and I do, and everything we decide for you is because we love you more than anything!The Bible says to train up a child in the way they should go and they will not depart from it. Well, I’m counting on that! Just always know that you were wanted very much and you have been born into a loving, Christian family and I, as your mommy, will try to provide the happiest life possible!I love you more than you could ever imagine and I’m looking forward to growing up with you!Love,Mommy(May 1, 1994)
I love you baby girl! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 
Of course, I can only cherish this post about our dear Miranda. She was SO welcomed into this world by all the family, especially me!! I wanted a grandchild and loved the idea, the 9-month wait, the birth, and all 19 years! Miranda is my precious 19 year old (today 4/7/13) granddaughter, my favorite 19 year old!!
Yes, I’d say we are a little prejudice! 🙂
Such a precious tribute to your daughter. Brought back all of the emotions I had when my daughter left for college. Thanks for sharing that with us 🙂
Thanks Carol…I’m not looking forward to August!
What a beautiful post, Celeste! Miranda will love Gardner Webb University. Allison and I both attended there. I loved seeing all the pictures, and they show what a great job you did making life fun!
I’m so glad to know y’all went there! Now I have someone to ask my questions to! 😉
Beautiful thoughts and pictures. I remember well the time Miranda was born. We (Truman and I ) were in the same hospital where you were born. We said goodbye to Truman’s mom on April 6 about the tenth hour. Truman had been down to visit your mom just before “Miss Pearl” died. We will always remember your birthday. God called home a wonderful woman and he sent a special little one into the world just a few short hours after “Miss Pearl” saw Jesus. Your grandpa would be sooo proud of the lovely young woman you have become. God bless you!!!
Awww…thanks Mrs. Ellison! I didn’t remember that Miss Pearl died just before Miranda was born! I do wish my daddy could see my family now…although I know he does. Thanks for taking time to comment! I’m so sorry I’m so late in replying. Somehow, these comments got past me and I didn’t realize they were here! I always try to reply to comments immediately…it’s rare that I get many! 🙂
How cute is SHE? Love this sweet post. And you know what else? Miranda shares a birthday with my firstborn! Scott just turned 23 and is finishing up at Virginia Tech. I bet she’ll love it at GW!
How funny is that! Two firstborns on April 7th! Thanks for the comment Susan…can’t wait to meet you in person!