My daughter will be 21 on Friday

[vintage girl]

I cannot believe how the years have flown by. My sweet daughter will be 21 on Friday. She has matured so much over the past 2 years, that I am just astounded. Gone is the smart aleck teen and in her place is a lovely young woman who is coming into her own. I remember as if it was yesterday when she was born. I had a lot of problems conceiving and Ariel was my 7th pregnancy. I had 5 miscarriages and lost twin boys shortly after birth. I had given up when I got pregnant with my daughter. I was terrifed my entire pregnancy, because I was sure I would lose her also. When they put her into my arms it was the best day of my life. This beautiful baby was wanted more than anything on the face of the earth! Every minute of the past 21 years has been a delight, even the terrible 2's (which lasted for at least 4 years), and the teen years, which turned me gray:eek: I brought her home in the cutest little pink bunny outfit, with a matching blanket. She still sleeps with this blanket and has every night for the past 21 years. She would probably kill me if she knew I was telling you about her blankie:D I hope her birthday is as special for her as it is for me. She is a lovely young woman and I hope all her dreams and hopes come true for her in the coming years. :)

[mac78]

Aww, how sweet. Happy 21st birthday to your daughter.
I am so sorry to hear the sadness you went thru to finally get her.

May she some day bring you many grandbabies to love and to hold. ;)

[vintage girl]

Thanks Marie:) I would love to have tons and tons of grandbabies, someday:D

[Rory Bremner]

Wow, 21! I remember it, like it was yesterday:p!

Sounds like you have had your share of ups and downs Vintage Girl, congratulations on this celebration.

[ChapterTwo]

After all of the heartache, you finally received your most welcome gift!

Congratulations to Ariel and to her proud Mom and Dad...I wish her everything wonderful.

After my son's wedding this summer and finding I truly have an empty nest, I empathize with how fast time passes. Enjoy all that will be forthcoming! :)

[shabbychick]

Congratulations to her and to you for weathering the last 21 years together. I hope her birthday is the best celebration ever.

[Rory Bremner]

Are you 21 yet Shabby?:D:p

[shabbychick]

Are you 21 yet Shabby?:D:p

Yes. A couple of times over!

[Rory Bremner]

Lol :D, just joking with you

[allen820]

Great post, Beverly. Nice tribute to Ariel and certainly from the heart. We had some of the same issues getting our Sarah here, and as you say, it seems like yesterday, although for us, it's been almost three decades (dang!).

We are very lucky in that Sarah lives very near us and in fact, has dinner with us more nights than not. But that may all be ending soon. It's a long story, but she met a guy recently who is in the military, but whose home is in Maine (is that even a real place!?)!

I remember once when Sarah was just a baby, I was up for a 2:00 a.m. feeding. Choices on cable were limited then, so while feeding her, I was watching "the Flintstones." Well, as the episode went, Fred had a nightmare about Peebles growing up, meeting a guy, and moving away. Wow, at the time, it about killed me because I had not even considered the possibility of such a thing. I am afraid that this long dreaded reality may soon come for me.

Maine, for the Lord's sake.

Allen

[koolmimi]

What a wonderful tribute to your courage and the gift of a lovely daughter.

My daughter and I nearly didn't survive her teen years. As she matured I have become less stupid and old fashioned. Its funny how that happens.

If someone had told me during those years that we would retire and move within a mile of her I would have thought they were crazy. We talk every day and eat pizza and play cards with my daughter and her husband every Friday. We have become best friends and enjoy spending time together.

[vintage girl]

Oh Allen, I cannot even imagine what you are feeling! Yes they do eventually move away, but do they really have to?? And yes Maine is a real place. I have been there:D

Koolmini, I am best friends with my daughter also, and I hope it stays that way. I think it is wonderful that your daughter lives so close. Family is everything:)

[RoseMary]

Happy Birthday to your sweet daughter! I know you are so proud of her.

[Breezy]

Congratulations to your sweet Ariel on her 21st birthday. May all of her hopes and dreams come to fruition!:)

[Gigi]

Certainly heart warming story---a blessing. Wow 21- doesn't the time go by fast...I know she'll always be your little girl though ;)