Feeling Very Blessed and Nostalgic This Morning - kids growing up related

Some of you may remember my story from almost exactly 5 years ago where my newborn daughter had to have surgery at 7 weeks old to remove a cyst that was blocking her windpipe. Most of you likely don't. Either way, I've linked it below for reference. Don't worry, there is a happy ending.

Original Post from 2020

To me, that post was one of those examples where this board, and all the loveable assholes within, come together with prayer, encouragement, and just general good intentions to lift up the spirits of fellow Tigers who may be going through a tough time in life.

Sharing my story and receiving all the encouragement that followed really meant a lot to me and is a big reason that I think most of us continue to post here going into our middle aged years. This really is a unique community that I'm happy to be part of.

Anyway, that baby girl in the link posted is recently 5 years old, and on the week of her 5 year surgery anniversary, she hit a HUGE milestone last night. Baby girl lost her first tooth!



My wife videoed me pulling it out, and now we will forever have the video of our last first tooth experience. No Tears, absolute bravest little girl in the world. Her eyes lit up and got so wide when it came out. She grabbed the tooth and ran to show her big brother who was equally as excited and proud of her. She spent the rest of the evening proclaiming what a Big Girl she is now.

That is the part that got me feeling very happy sad as I laid down to bed last night. My baby girl is not a baby anymore. That young kid age is all but over. Mine are 8 and 5 now. They're smart, increasingly independent, growing more and more mature by the day. Those early years can be so tough at times, but looking back on them, I never want them to end.

I think back 5 years to how we were so incredibly close to losing this sweet girl, and here she is today; happy, healthy, and so vibrantly full of life that I can't help but smile just thinking about it. I want to continue to strive every day to show up the best that I can for them and I hope she always looks at me with the love and excitement as she did last night when that tooth popped out.

Maybe it's the Christmas season that evokes these feelings. Maybe its her surgery anniversary and life milestones piling on, but I just had one of those moments last night and needed an outlet to share. Sorry for rambling.