“Happy 12th Birthday tomorrow! You are getting older.”

“During my first visit to meet you, when you were 16 months old, you and I would sit in the back seat of your family’s car when everyone traveled together. Your car seat, and therefore you as well, faced backward. Your car seat was big, so I had little room to sit and would sit close to you. In this configuration, you looked up at me and I looked down at you.

“While your dad drove, with a vehement sound — but no words because you could not yet speak — you would point your arm around at objects of interest in the car and through the back window. Although not knowing your meaning, each time I affirmed you. I would nod my head and say, ‘Mm!’”

“When you were around 4 years old, during one evening your parents and you were driving me home from Gott’s. You noticed the steep driveway going underneath my apartment complex to the parking garage. Your dad asked you whether you wanted to see the driveway. So we all got out of the car, and you and your mom laughed at the sensation of being pulled, while walking, down the steep slope of pavement. Inside the small garage there were about 8 cars parked. Referring to your own sizable toy car collection at home, you exclaimed to me, ‘Are these all yours?’ I burst out with a laugh, your creativity surprising me.”

Adapted from text messages on 14-15 Apr 2025