Happy Second Birthday!

Dear Will:

It has been a really long time since I wrote you a letter but I figure if there was ever an occasion to write, it's your second birthday.

Happy Birthday Willow!

We celebrated with a trip to Legoland with friends because Mommy wants to encourage creative play, travel and an appreciation for the Nordic standard of living (the healthcare and life-work balance are incredible and they have an entire thriving culture dedicated to bread. Willow, you are like, zero percentage Danish - I think - but these are our people).

Even though you’re still a little too small for some of the rides, I still think you had pretty good time.

And then, we celebrated with a garbage truck themed birthday party in which nine people sang to you and you looked like there were dead wasps in your cake and the only gift you received was a used bandaid (to note, neither of these things are true).

It’s ok, bud. It’s kinda weird having a bunch of people sing at you. I get it.

The past year, I feel both of us have learned a tremendous amount.

You’ve learned the alphabet and your numbers from 1-10.

I've learned that garbage trucks are amazing and worthy of the same kind of excitement I give to new varieties of Bluecoat Gin, Springsteen shows and when taco joints have that spicy avocado salsa in the squeezy bottle.

I have also learned that you think your name is Willow Gahbij Tuck….which, not gonna lie, is cooler than what your dad and I came up with.

You have learned your colors and the names of most animals…including differentiating between macaws and toucans.

I've learned that you have a bananas high energy level that can only be quelled by lots of quality time at playgrounds, museums, beaches and the pool. Mama's old and she's tired but I love the fact that you've picked up your parents' mentality to see, do and explore as much as we can. I promise we will explore the world together.

You have learned that Roxy will 200% eat your food if you turn your back. Hell, your back doesn’t even have to be turned. That dog is just gonna eat your food.

I’ve learned that you can eat a truly staggering amount of raspberries. Like entire punnets of them.

Every parent thinks their kid is smart and I'm sure they're right, but buddy? You're kinda brilliant.

No. Seriously.

I mean, show me a non-Persian toddler who knows what a pomegranate is. You know the difference between an excavator and a digger and have pointed it out to me on multiple occasions. Oh and you've memorized enough pages from Nibbles the Book Monster that you can trick people into believing you know how to read.

Almost every day, I have a moment where I stop and go, "Holy shit, where did you learn that?"

I am going to do everything I can to encourage you and make sure you have everything you need to succeed both academically and socially.

And I promise you that even if you're doing quantum physics when you're 8, I'm not gonna send you off to college early and totally warp your socio-emotional development.

We all saw that miniseries with Paul Bettany as the Unabomber. We know how that pans out.

I love a lot of things - dinners consisting of chips, salsa and margaritas, the way Shane Black writes dialogue, Chicago accents, the em-dash - but there is nothing - absolutely nothing in this world - that I love more than you.

Your voice is my favorite song and I love that you sing snippets of songs to me from the back seat to demand I change the podcast I'm listening to. I really love the fact that your new favorite song is When I Grow Up by Garbage.

Shirley Manson is the fucking coolest and I hope you grow to be a big fan of both incredible female musicians and Scots.

I love how fearless you are. Even though it gives me teeth-rattling anxiety, I am so proud of you when you leap into the pool or dash towards the big kid slide.

I also love how you take things in stride - when you tumble, you just shake it off with a, "Willow fall down.” You have an indomitable spirit.

I love how you always share food with Daddy and myself and that you have an adventurous appetite. When you sneak a bite of my food and realize it's spicy, you just widen your eyes, go "Whoo", drink water and invariably come back for more. This is the coolest thing ever.

I love your kindness, your generosity, your willingness to share and how affectionate you are. There is no better feeling than when you snug up against me and go, “Awwww.”

I even kinda like when you go to kiss me and then, sneak-attack try to bite me. Oh, don't get me wrong; it's awful but it's also kinda funny and pretty clever.

I’m gonna tell you a secret, kid - I have no idea what the hell I’m doing.

In all recorded history, there has only ever been one you and there is no manual which tells me the intricacies of raising such an amazing person.

But I promise you this - I’m gonna dedicate my life to making sure you are supported, safe, happy and loved.

Happy birthday, Boosk. I love you the most. I love you forever.

Love:

Mommy xx