My dearest Anderson,
Happy Birthday, my love. You were born today, Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 5:43pm in Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia. You weighed 6 lbs 9.5 ozs and measured 20 inches long! Yes, that is very long, which explains why you made Mommy's ribs a permanent resting place for those long legs of yours. Your head is full of hair, and I wonder whether it will eventually curl like Mommy's or stay straight like Daddy's. You have the longest fingers (piano in your future?) and toes, and your skin is a beautiful olive color. My heart melted when my eyes met your dark blue eyes for the first time, and I knew at that moment the joy the last 9 months have brought to the rest of my life!
Words cannot express the amount of love, pride, and joy I feel as your Mother, Guardian, and Friend. Heavenly Father placed you in our family as part of his specially designed plan, and I am so glad that your are my first-born son.
Anderson Paul Stratton, I desire a happy, healthy, and productive life on this earth for you, which lies in the hands of you and us as your parents. As your Mother, I promise to satisfy your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. I will love you unconditionally, through easy times and hard times. I will pray with you every morning and every evening, making sure to thank Heavenly Father for each day I have with you. I will cherish every hug and kiss, because one day, believe it or not, you will be embarassed by my love and affection. I will create a home of peace and happiness with your Daddy so you will always feel safe and secure. Finally, I will set the highest of expectations for you, because I know you have what it takes to achieve anything you put your mind to.
Anderson, go after any and every dream you have! With the knowledge, heart, strength, and passion you have, you can be anything you want to be. Whatever you choose to do with your precious life, rest assured knowing I am proud of you and I love you. There is nothing you can do that would make me regret any moment I have shared with you. You have captured my heart, Anderson. Make Mommy proud, and most importantly, make Heavenly Father proud.
I love you, D-bug. Mommy.
