March 16th, ROCKS!

Today is my absolute, favorite day of the year.

Although I vote today as the BEST day out of the 365 that each year has to offer, I do have several other days that I really appreciate and hold dear to my heart. Some of my other favorites are:

My birthday, of course. Not that I find much enjoyment in being the center of attention, while having my aging process highlighted, but I like to think back to when I entered this world. Contemplate what life was like for my parents and older sister. I often wonder what kind of baby I was. Was I happy and easygoing? (surely!)

Since my birthday falls two days before Halloween, that is certainly one of my favorite holidays. Creative costumes and trick-or-treating. Children skipping throughout the neighborhood with uncontrollable excitement. A fun, festive time of year.

July 20^th is another favorite; my husband’s birthday. Without the 20^th, I would probably still be single and childless. My spouse was also born in my favorite season. Every sunny summer day is a friend of mine. The warmth of the sun on my skin, outdoor playtime, visits to the beach and cool lemonade. Relaxing…

Also, June 26^th is a special day. My husband and I exchanged wedding vows on a magnificent Saturday afternoon with blue skies overhead. Most of our favorite people were in attendance to witness us making our lifelong commitment to one another.

And then there is Christmas, the birth date of Jesus Christ. A wondrous day, in deed. I truly enjoy family gatherings and the love that is felt as we reflect on Christmas’ past. Cinnamon spice in the air, decorations everywhere. Great feasts of food with kin, abundant with cheer.

Several other dates come to mind, but today, March 16^th, is by far, the very best, most amazing, miraculous day to me. Five years ago, today, God granted me a precious child. She entered my life and made me a mother; my most defining title, yet. She is an amazing child with huge blue eyes, a gorgeous smile, and bouncy blonde curls. She is extremely intelligent, full of zest and spunk. A true social butterfly.

Exactly two years later, to the day, (yes, that would be March 16^th, AGAIN!) God gave me another incredible daughter. She was born with espresso brown hair, but has lightened up to almost a dark blonde. She has mysterious grey/brown eyes and a smile that is highly contagious. When she laughs, people laugh with her. Her sense of humor is much like mine and that tickles my insides. She sings, dances and keeps rhythm like a seasoned musician. She is a brilliant little person with tons of energy and spirit.

I am so blessed to have two healthy, intelligent, beautiful children.

When I found out the due date of my second child early in my pregnancy, I was disappointed. I thought, “my children may have to share a birthday, how unfair is that?” But my husband is an identical twin and he and his brother enjoy sharing a birthday.

Today, my girls don’t know any different. They share the day, the excitement and the party, but they get their own cakes, they are sung to individually, and get their own gifts. Sharing a birthday actually alleviates the jealousy of one sibling opening gifts without the other. I realize there may be years in the future when my daughters decide they don’t want to share parties, but until then, I will let them continue doing their party planning together. They really DO enjoy it.

Tonight as my daughters walked through the Italian restaurant after enjoying their birthday dinners and sundaes, they each proudly wore their “Birthday Girl” tiaras while I proudly explained the math to all of the inquirers.

They both came into this world on this particular day and I can’t think of a more special day of the year to celebrate! March 16^th ROCKS for this proud mama!

(By the way, there were no C-sections to credit!)