A Year Flew By

Written by Melissa

There's an old saying, the days are long, but the years fly by. For me, the past year was filled with days that were so painfully long I thought they'd never end. Still, it is hard to believe that Ariana turned one this past weekend. Seems it was only yesterday that I met her.

On August 18, 2012, I delivered Ariana. Compared to the labor and delivery of her older brother, Ari's entrance into the world was a breeze. Unfortunately this go round, it was not my health at risk, but Ariana's. Almost immediately she was whisked away by nurses to the neonatal intensive care unit. The memory of that moment is just as heartbreaking as it was on that day. We never saw it coming. Only Ariana knew what she had in store for us all.

In just one year so much has changed. Lives have changed. Many lives. Ariana has probably touched more people in her first year of life than I've touched in my 35 years. She is special, in so many more ways than we even know.

Celebrating her birth is bittersweet, of course. When she was born I had no idea that I'd live my life without her in my home. I had no idea the struggles and challenges that she would face, that we would all face. I had no idea I'd walk the rest of my days with a broken heart.

But then there is the 'sweet' - there is Ari. She is teaching me to love in a new way - a way without bounds, without barriers - a way of full trust and great faith. She does this through her parents, Jim and Heather, and their incredible openness and strength. She does this through her brother, Asa, and his amazing resilience and acceptance of our new normal. And she does this through her big eyes and bright smile that both show me her soul and tell me she is exactly where she is supposed to be.

 

And so, a year later, we're okay. Actually, we're more than okay. We're family. And families celebrate first birthdays BIG. Ari's party was filled with butterflies, balloons, cake, fun, laughter, and love. Surrounded by the many she's touched - both in person and in spirit - Ariana turned one with style and ease. And then, decided she was partied out!

See all the party pics here.