Even writing that sentence feels like magic. Like sunshine and pixie dust Our baby girl—our caboose, —turned four. And we celebrated in a place where wonder lives and wishes come true. But it’s not just that she turned four in front of a pink princess castle or hugged Minnie with her whole heart. It’s that she’s here. She’s four. She made it here. We made it here.
I think back on the day she was born and I can't help but cry. I had all these worries in my head but Tatum is nothing short of pure perfection and an example of faith. Today Miss Tatum is a smart, vibrant, SASSY preschooler. She loves to sing, dance, play with her barbies, attempt cartwheels, and she LOVES culinary class! She loves to cook so much and she loves doing her own knife work (thank goodness for kid knives). Tatum loves the soundtrack from the movie Mulan AND Hamilton. She loves the windows down on a nice day, she loves cuddles and hugs more than most things - she's expanding her palette sometimes.... but she truly detests beans of any kind. Tatum loves so hard and expresses her love for everyone in our family.. especially when we've angered her.
She's so accustomed to the world revolving around her - which we are backtracking from HEAVY but she's a sport most of the time when it comes to realizing that she can't have her way all of the time. She's registered for preschool next year and she knows all her basics. Colors, shapes, sounds, numbers... Tatum is incredibly perfect... and this birthday trip, this was was her first big birthday. The first one she understood. The first one where she told us what she wanted: “Mickey! Minnie! A castle!” And oh, how she believed. That’s the magic of four. You’re old enough to wish big, but young enough to never doubt it will come true.
I watched her twirl in her Rapunzel dress, chasing bubbles in Fantasyland. I watched her eyes widen at the World of Color, mouth open in wonder when Elsa waved at her. I watched her clutch her birthday button like it was treasure, telling people, “It’s my birthday. I’m four now.” And I smiled through tears, because I remember every moment we have to endure that got us here. Every late-night prayer. Every time I held her tiny body and wondered what the future would look like for her.
It looks like this.
Like sunshine on her curls and Dole Whip on her lips. Like a whole family cheering her name as she skipped and twirled down Main Street. Like her daddy holding her close on a spinning teacup, laughing through the dizziness and smiling with joy.
We’ve moved homes. We’ve said so many goodbyes. And this year, we made it back home to Washington State...Tatum’s first move. She left the only room she’d ever known. The only neighbors, the only friends. But just like she always does, she bloomed anyway. She settled in. She found her rhythm. And turning four in Disneyland? It was like the universe saying, You did it, baby girl.
We did it.
I’ll never forget this birthday. Not because of the fireworks or the rides. But because of who Tatum is. Because of the joy she carries and the light she gives away freely, without even knowing it.
Tatum, you are sunshine. You are stardust. You are strong and sweet and funny and curious and so deeply loved. And I hope that as you grow, you never lose your sense of wonder. I hope you always believe in magic—and in yourself.
Happy fourth birthday, my girl. We love you bigger than Sleeping Beauty’s castle and brighter than the fireworks over Main Street.
This was the year you turned four. And I’ll remember it forever.
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