10! A decade. Double digits. 

Like every year, when I thought of writing this open letter to you, I wondered if you realize where the time went!

It feels like yesterday when I think of my drives to the doctor, the news of your arrival with a date on paper, so many plans, ideas, things that I would buy to build the warmest nest for us and lengths and breadths I would go to bring the choicest and best to you! Phew! A habit of motherhood that started from expecting you to when I don’t know anything else except, how to be a parent. I err, I miss, I falter but at the end of the day, I realize that you are the reason for my being. The day you were born forever changed my life. It took me a while to fully understand what happened around me. It was the biggest, most life altering event I had ever experienced, and I am a fan of change! Just look at us, how lucky to have experienced together - something so great, something so great that I never even knew I wanted. You have taught me more about myself than I ever thought possible. You taught me patience, selflessness, and unconditional love. Loving you has shown me what it means to be loved unconditionally.

Most people would argue that the measure of any being and his or her importance is in the imprint they have on the world and on those around them, I agree wholeheartedly. And when I look back and reflect on your last decade with us on Earth, I see you continue to bring immense joy, love, and care into the hearts and minds of the people who are most dear to you -your grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, teachers, your papa and me. These are people who have kept you close at heart when you were growing and I love to see you reciprocate in respect and adoration. Your kindness, generosity, patience, willingness to love and to forgive, your powerful brain, uproarious sense of humor, sharp and quick wit, and your overall awesomeness is an example I myself try to live up to every day.

What a year, that went by! Pandemic and lockdown. Our plans shattered, your 9th birthday celebrated in lockdown, distanced from your friends, travel plans shelved off - it was a year of learnings, life-changing gleanings. I have watched you change and grow this past year, from a strong little girl, into an even stronger middle-sized girl and I started to see the teenager and woman you are becoming. You have a far more developed sense of right and wrong than I had at your age. I won’t give you a list of Dos and Donts this year, like the 6th, 7th, 8th or the 9th years. I want you to make your own faults and learn on your own.

You turn 10. Ten years old. The sound of that makes my heart flip in my chest with surprise, my eyes well up in emotion and my mind brims full of plans for you, and just looking at you takes my breath away, all at the same time. Where has the time gone? Why did they always say that time would fly by? Why were they right? When did that happen? Could I be any more proud of the young woman that you are becoming? I wish I could be at the age of 10 that you already are, in so many ways.

Here on your 10th birthday are 10 things I love about you!

Your Love.

Your fierce love, your fondness - whether it is friends or family you love quickly. I LOVE this about you. You could give away the best you have for the one you love.

Your Sensitive Heart.

Quite like your love, your vanilla heart melts. It may often seem like a curse but hold on to it and do not let it harden. Very often, the world may not seem fair and I know that things don’t make sense but hang on, things will work out.

You are Understanding

We could not be more blessed. How awesome is it that every time there is a change, you embrace it. I know when times were tough on you just wanted things to go back to the way they were but you have handled our moves with more grace than that I have on some days. When I think of the role model I would want them to have YOU are it. 

Your Belief.

“Work hard. Dream big.” This has become your motto and I LOVE it. When you decide you want something, you work for it.  Continue to be a hard worker. A 6 hour LEGO session, a 90 minutes math Olympiad, a Coding marathon - I am so proud, that you have aced them all.

Your Wit!

The dictionary defines witty as marked by or full of clever humor or wit. And aren’t you that lil brat! You are clever. The humor with it is a precious combination. Sometimes it really gets tongue-in-cheek because of this “witty-ness” but more often than not I end up laughing.

You are a GREAT friend.

Ilvikaa is loved by all friends. The continuously ringing phone and a zillion online playdates clearly manifest your popularity! I love your loyalty and understanding, I love it about you.

You are Strong-Willed

You are stubborn, my word, you are stubborn, and right now this stubbornness drives me crazy. But, I love that you are a headstrong girl and you will grow into one person who uses this for your own good. Do not allow stubbornness to cloud your mind. Use it to make changes in the world and to always stand up for what is right and good. 

You can reject Likability

I am so glad that at this very age, you are fine with accepting. And likable means you have to mold and shape what you do and say based on what you imagine the other person wants to hear, it comes from your strong head. It takes a lot of confidence, kudos!

You Question

This brilliant quality will help you blossom into a responsible adult. Keep at it.

You are Beautiful!

I know you won’t ever accept this, but I know for sure that you are beautiful. You aren’t fond of ribbons, bows, skirts, pearls, and flowers like most girls of your age but you have the most beautiful eyes - large, black, shiny! Your hair, the less said is better about those locks. More importantly, you are just as beautiful on the inside as you are out

With all the things I love about you there are times when you drive me absolutely crazy (time management, room tidiness, listening/lack of listening!) but you are one of the most amazing children I know and I love you more and more every day, and could not feel prouder of you. It’s brilliant that your reading has come on in such leaps and bounds, I love watching you get lost in a good book – there’s nothing more satisfying as a book worm than discovering a fellow book worm to talk about books to. The ‘Reading Sharks’ prize was only a tiny testament to your amazing habit.

I have realized that as you get older our hugs have become more important, if less frequent. They are more important to me as I don’t know how much longer I’ll have them for. They are more important for you as you hug me when you need or want comfort, reassurance, love, and security, rather than the constant hugs of a younger you. I never knew what it would be like to be a mother, growing up I always knew that a time would come when it will all change overnight and I will be so thankful for something I never even knew, I needed. I love that we talk and talk about more and more important things. We talk about how things may change soon, as you go through pre-teens. We talk about your hopes, dreams, and goals for the future, along with what you think you might like to do when you’re older. Keep being you, keep being courageous and strong. Know that you have NO limits, the world is your oyster and you can do and be whoever and whatever you want, as well as living wherever you want. There is ALWAYS a way.

I love you so much my crazy, funny, clever, strong, brave, beautiful baby.

Love,

Mom & Papa

San Francisco Bay Area, California

April 2nd, 2021