Here we are, one year after the 1st moment I held you, the 1st time I heard your voice and the 1st instance I looked into your big, beautiful eyes. So many things have happened and changed over the past 12 months and although it sounds like a decent amount of time, it actually went by in a flash. Our tiny, fragile baby girl that slept for hours on end has become a bubbly, feisty toddler crawling wherever she likes, standing for a few seconds at a time, eating anything and everything and talking up a storm. You’re perfect in every way, little Ava but, we know your biggest challenges are yet to come…

The world we live in doesn’t preserve perfection and being sinners from the start means you’ll need to work hard at keeping your heart and intentions pure. For some this might seem like an impossible task. One not even worth worrying about. You however, can be different, you can bring about change, you can be stronger than peer pressure and societal fails. You can be part of the next generation of woman “fighting for each other, instead of with one another”.

So, our wishes to you on your 1st birthday:

May you stay forever faith filled, trusting in God. Knowing He made you complete and that He will provide all that you need.

May kindness motivate your actions, even when you are hurt and upset or working through a difficult situation.

May compassion fill your heart because we all have our own cross to bear. Rather be a helping hand than more extra load to carry.

May grace describe your approach to others and life. Being hard, forward and “real” might be easier but acting thoughtfully will bring about change and could impact someone’s life profoundly without you even knowing.

May your love be endless. May it be the answer when you don’t know what else to do and may you experience it in abundance.

May the joy we all deserve stay protected in your soul, never dependant on others, worldly possessions and charm. Never let it go!

May you be content. Content in who you are, bettering yourself but also accepting your shortcomings. Dreaming of your destiny but never letting false desire cloud what really matters.

Be confident little girl, doubt will only drive you into the wrong direction.

Stay passionate. Stay curious, find your life’s purpose and live to the full. We only have one lifetime on earth so make it count, letting the legacy of it all cary you into eternity.

Always be honest. Especially when you fail, when you fall and when you make mistakes (believe me those times will be in abundance). Asking for forgiveness, forgiving yourself and letting go will set you free.

It’s definitely the road less traveled, little Ava and should provide more than enough adventure for one.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV 

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Happy 1st birthday Ava Loïs!

PHOTO CREDIT | Anje-Ilana van Dalen from Madison and West.

Special thanks you to Oliver and Bean and Ivy Lilly Couture for creating our beautiful mommy and me, matching outfits for Ava’s 1st birthday photoshoot. These dresses were gorgeous and exquisitely  made. Thank you, thank you!