I smile and look at my beautiful baby girl, Marianna. She smiles brightly as I boop her tiny nose.
"It's amazing that you were just a small bump 4 months ago. You're a miracle Marianna. You are my one and only girl... you can count on me to protect you from everything in this world. Count on me to scream at teachers in PTA meetings when you're struggling with school or some bully. And count on me when you scrape your knee, because by god I'll patch it up with as many antimicrobial sprays on that bandage as possible. You can wrap your tiny little fingers around my hand when you get scared or just need someone there. And when you feel like no one loves you... just know I always will. I'm not perfect I know, I'll make mistakes and I'll take my little miracle for granted, but know this: you, my miracle, are the best decision I've ever made. I will never ever regret having you." I say, sobbing by the end of my monologue.
Marianna grabs onto my finger and offers a beautiful, toothless, smile. I break down and hug her to my chest. After I get done sobbing and kissing my baby girl a million times until she's laughing hysterically I notice my partner in the doorway, holding her camera and taking a video of me.
"You're gonna be an amazing mom." Bri says.
"I just pray she will think the same." I say, tickling Mari's stomach.
She just giggles and smiles at me.
-5 years old-
"I BET YOU CAN'T CATCH ME MOMMY!" Marianna screams as she runs away from me.
"That's a big bet baby girl!" I shout back and chase her.
I chase Mari down and scoop her up. I tickle her until she turns red.
-10 years old-
"Mooooommm! I wanna play with Tyler but he won't let meeee!" Mari screams
I chuckle and walk into the room, I see Marianna and beam.
"Why play with Tyler when you can play with meeeee?" I say, scooping my little girl up and putting her on my shoulders.
Mari whoops and giggles as I run around the room with Bri and Tyler shaking their heads at us simultaneously.
"You two are goofballs." Tyler and Bri say in sync.
-15 years old-
"Hey mom I'm back from the mall, what are we doing today?" Mari says, putting her bags down.
I smile and shrug.
"Whatever you want to." I say in response.
"Tell me that story Mommy Bri mentioned. The one about what you said after I was born." Mari says, smiling.
"You're a little shy of hearing that story." I say, smiling at her.
"Aw come on!" Mari says, pouting.
"Hey, you can wait a few years. I've been waiting to tell you longer than you've been wondering." I say, smiling.
"Ok fine. Wanna go see that new horror movie?" Mari says.
"Sure! Lemme get my stuff." I say, gathering my things.
-25 years old-
"Mom! I'm home for a visit!" Marianna screeches.
"Happy birthday baby girl." I say, handing her the tape on a flash drive.
"What's this?" Mari asks.
"Just watch it." I say.
Mari sprints to her old room and plays the video.
I smiled and looked at my beautiful baby girl, Marianna. She smiled brightly as I booped her tiny nose.
"It's amazing that you were just a small bump 4 months ago. You're a miracle Marianna. You are my one and only girl... you can count on me to protect you from everything in this world. Count on me to scream at teachers in PTA meetings when you're struggling with school or some bully. And count on me when you scrape your knee, because by god I'll patch it up with as many antimicrobial sprays on that bandage as possible. You can wrap your tiny little fingers around my hand when you get scared or just need someone there. And when you feel like no one loves you... just know I always will. I'm not perfect I know, I'll make mistakes and I'll take my little miracle for granted, but know this: you, my miracle, are the best decision I've ever made. I will never ever regret having you." I said on the video, sobbing.
I stand behind Mari, silently shedding crystal tears.
"Mom... is this all true?" Mari asks, her voice breaking under the pressure of her emotions.
"Yes. A million times yes! Marianna you're my miracle and it's killing me that you're leaving me soon but you have to soar on your own wings. It's been hard for me to accept this fact because well... I don't want to ever lose you but you're not a baby anymore. And it's not my turn to protect you anymore. It's hers." I say, stepping aside.
Ivy gets down on one knee and opens a box with a ring that has a Celtic Infinity knot in the center...
"Marianna Rose Winslett... will you do me the honor of allowing me to forever protect and hold you until we die?" Ivy says, smiling.
"Yes. A MILLION TIMES YES!" Marianna screams.
