Emma’s birthday party was last weekend. It was wonderful. Lots and lots of people, lots of food (ok WAY too much food) and at the center of it, a little girl who managed to charm everyone and stay charming until after the guests left.

While we were missing a lot of our out of town family and friends, some were able to make it (big shout out to Poppy, Lexi and Emily!) and a lot of our local family and friends were there. There aren’t many times in life when you are surrounded by a big group of people who love you. A wedding is one time, but at a wedding you are just a couple. The thing that was so amazing and surprising about this party was feeling the love of all those people, and watching them all love Emma as well.

As her mom, I am deeply moved when other people love Emma. It reminds me that I am not alone in parenting her, in guiding her and in helping her grow. It reminds me that Mike’s and my love is just the beginning of the love she can expect to feel throughout her life. Seeing other people love Emma makes me feel that my little family is connected - connected to our community of family and friends and to the larger world community.

Initially, this birthday party was to celebrate the last year and our ability to get through it. Now I realize it was more of a celebration of the future and of my family’s place in the world.