A Letter to My Goddaughter Jana

Dear Jana,

Yesterday, your mom, one of my best friends, gave birth to her first born child and my first goddaughter – YOU!

I went to visit her at the hospital later that day, pink flowers and baby clothes on hand, and had my first picture with you.

Your mom regaled me with the whole birth story, from when her water bag broke in LP to when she had contractions and was in so much pain that she had to have an epidural, to when you finally popped out, a 3.29 kg purple bundle, and laid on her chest.

Now I’ve heard birth stories before but this felt different to me because this came from Gay, the girl I grew up with… the most innocent one in our gang. This was our little girl. Wasn’t it only yesterday when we surprised her with 18 beehive cupcakes at the school backfield for her 18th birthday? How can she be so grown up? 😢

I am happy for her. It was a wonderful experience to watch her and your father Leo fawn over you, their perfect gift for their first year wedding anniversary, which is today.

You just couldn’t wait to get out, couldn’t you?

Now your mom has been through so much. I’ve seen her cry and smile too many times to count. But while the pain she went through yesterday sounded like the worst she has ever been through, she didn’t even care. All the pain was worth it, to have you.

I have never ever seen her this happy.

You’re a dream come true, an answered prayer.

You are loved. So, so much.

Welcome to the world.