Dear Everly,

At this time six years ago, Papa and I were sitting around the waiting room of a hospital with Pops, JuJu, Nana, Aunt Chrissy, and Aunt Missy. We were waiting for something very special - or should I say someONE very special?! And finally, after Mommy had done a lot of hard work (and Daddy had done a lot of pacing and praying), you were born! What a special day! Of course, as delighted as we all were to welcome you, we could never have anticipated the wonder of watching you grow and learn and love and laugh.

What I CAN say about you is that if ever there were an optimist in the world, it's YOU! Welcome to 2020 - the year of shelter in place, social distancing, masks, hand sanitizer, and a host of other not-so-cheery things going on. If everyone made lemonade out of these lemons as well as you have, we'd all be so much better off!

"Shelter in place" turned into your own personal kingdom of imagination! You and Janie invented all kinds of scenarios to live pretend lives outside of a pandemic. Each scene lent itself to new costumes, new personalities, new homes, new names, new occupations. During those initial months, you were a leader and a teacher to your little sister, and you became best friends like no others. While the grown up world worried and fretted, your bravery only grew! What little fear you might have had dried up like raindrops on a hot summer afternoon. You were eager to climb trees and jump into lakes, "surf" at the beach and let lizards and ladybugs crawl up your arms! Your sense of wonder and your attention to the smallest things gave you a great appreciation for all of God's creation.

It would be hard to describe the things you're passionate about - there are so many! But we'll start with dancing. You're such a delicate little ballerina - so adorable in your dance clothes and precious little slippers - but you can really bust a move when something with a fun beat kicks in! You're an excellent swimmer - if there's water around, we'll find you ready to dive in! Daddy has finally gotten his wish - you're falling in love with golf! And you're so proud of the little blister on your thumb! But in true Everly fashion, you MUST dress the part - cute little polo shirts and golf skirts make the game so much more fun!

As fall has rolled around, you've put on your mask and excitedly marched into kindergarten. Hope they were ready for you! Turns out that when we ask the names of your friends, there is a long list of boys' names (and descriptions of their personalities) that comes before we ever hear the names of any girls. Buckle up, Mom and Dad - this one is boy crazy! You're goofy and funny and happy! You're smart - reciting entire passages of Scripture, growing in your reading skills, and telling us all sorts of interesting scientific facts that you're learning. 

Already two baby teeth done away with, your sweetheart smile shines often and shines brightly! Twinkling eyes and a cute wrinkled nose to go with that smile - oh, little girl! How you melt my heart! I could never have imagined the joy that God would give me when He made me a Milly six years ago, but I sure am grateful! Happiest of birthdays to you, sweet Everlina! And because of your optimism, I can't wait to see what's in store for the coming year!

Always loving you with all of my heart,

Milly