As The Years Go By

For the first time, I saw your face,
And in my heart you filled that space.

I closed my eyes, and you were one,
And my love for you had grown brighter than the sun.

My heart skipped a beat when you turned two.
You were getting so big! What was I to do?

On the day that you turned three,
I gave you a baby brother to share with me.

It seemed like in no time you were four,
And when you looked at me with love, my heart would soar.

All too quickly, you turned five.
You would soon start school and leave me behind.

While gaining your independence, you turned six,
But there are still things you need me to fix.

It was not easy watching you turn seven.
You are a gift from God, sent straight from Heaven.

I will shed a tear as you turn eight,
And thank the Lord for making you my fate.

Another year gone, and now you're nine.
It's going too fast. I wish I could turn back time.

Time keeps moving, and you grow into ten.
If only we could go back to one again.

God smiles upon you as you turn eleven.
He is saving you a place up in Heaven.

Twelve comes so quickly, and you go to middle school.
Your world is so different, and now I'm not so cool.

You welcome thirteen, but my little girl I will miss.
It was in this year that you got your first kiss.

I hold my breath as you turn fourteen,
A more beautiful young lady I have never seen.

Fifteen comes and takes fourteen away,
"Please keep her safe," to God I pray.

At sixteen, you can finally drive,
I wish it was still your Barbie Jeep when you were just five.

Turning seventeen, there's not much time,
The mountain of your youth you've almost climbed.

Eighteen comes in the blink of an eye,
And as you close this chapter, I'll try my best not to cry.

I've loved you forever, or so it seems.
I first met you when I was young, in my dreams.

You are everything I ever hoped for and more.
I'm excited to see what God has in store.