Social media tells me that today is National Daughters Day, a holiday that is, without a doubt, made up by someone competing to see how many shares he or she can get. But aside from the illegitimacy of this so-called holiday, it’s actually quite lovely to think about. On a particularly difficult evening for me, when I’m tired of being climbed on, drooled on, sucked on, I’m going to take this fake, millennial holiday and use it as an excuse to talk about my two favorite people.
Growing up, I was more-than-borderline obsessed with American Girl Dolls. I even insisted that one summer, my family traveled to Williamsburg, VA for vacation. (Bonus points to those of you who are able to make that connection.) I spent countless hours with (and my family members spent countless dollars on) these dolls, so it only seemed natural to me that if I were ever fortunate enough to become a mom, I would likely have boys because it just seemed too convenient to have someone to whom I could pass my collection. Nevertheless, I dreamed of girls.
Side note, one deserving of its very own paragraph: Now that I am an adult and a mom, I am sure of at least two things: if I ever did or do have a son, I would foster and encourage pretend doll play just as I do with my daughters. And even though I have only girls, they are exposed to as many trucks, tools, and what society has deemed to be defined as “boy toys” as they are to sparkles and tutus. I am also aware that it is quite possible that one or neither of my girls will be interested in that collection, and that’s fine by me. Gender roles no longer matter to me, but as an adolescent, that is just simply what I envisioned.
Now, as I prepare to turn 34, an age that I have always thought of as when I’ll be in “my prime” (whatever that means), I have two of the most beautiful, funny, unpredictable, unique, and sassy girls this world has ever known. I’m sure the universe is getting back at me for my own unpredictable sassiness that I dealt out as a child, and I’m totally okay with that. As hard as these days are, when Clara is hanging on me for literally every minute of the day while incessantly talking about her morning coffee, and when Eloise has a congested nose but still wants to nurse every hour and gets really upset because she can’t breath… they’re what I always wanted. Sometimes I need to remind myself of that. I think it’s okay to have always wanted something, prayed for something, and still find it hard and frustrating. Maybe that means it’s all worth it? That this whole motherhood gig is worth fighting through the most negative of feelings? And of course, in the end, it is all worth it. These two beautiful souls will always be worth it for me. So, without further ado, I celebrate National Daughters Day:
Clara, my first born, made me a mom. She loves tutus and frogs. We just signed her up for ballet and she is beyond excited to “dance and twirl.” She keeps asking me if she can be a ballerina tomorrow. Clara’s greatest joy in this world was her dog until her sister was born. Now, she’s Eloise’s biggest fan. The first words out of her mouth each morning are “Ellie awake?” A seemingly-natural born leader and nurturer, she fosters her peers’ sense of imagination at play group by serving them lunch. She often breastfeeds her babydoll while I’m nursing Eloise, and ensures that each of us get goodnight kisses before going to bed. She is stubborn, independent, and deeply intelligent, just like her parents!
Eloise will eventually be giving her sister a run for her money. She’s in the 97th percentile for height and is soaring through the milestones. There’s no doubt in my mind that Clara is her greatest source of entertainment and she wants nothing more than to be able to get up and go wherever her sister goes. She is determined to move even though she can’t crawl yet. She will be resilient, she will have grit, and I know this because she already is and she already does. Eloise still has deep blue eyes that she uses to observe everything around her. She copies sounds and facial expressions like an old pro and she absolutely detests to be left out of the action. In less than half a year, this sweet one is proving to be more and more like Kay Thompson’s title character, and if that turns out to be even remotely true, then anyone who has read the series knows we’re in for big trouble and big adventure.
So there you have it, an ode to my little loves. Even though you two drove me bonkers today, I am and always will be deeply grateful that you’re my daughters and deeply proud to be your mother. I vow to continue to do my best for you, to show you what it means to live with passion and purpose, and to be kind and happy. May these words someday drift past your eyes so that you know that from the moment I met each of you, my life and my heart changed forever. National Daughters Day, a made-up holiday certainly worth celebrating. I’m just sorry I didn’t know it until after you both fell asleep. Maybe we can have cupcakes next year….
