On your thirteenth birthday, you coiled each of your curls around your fingers, wanting to get them just right. I stood watching…
I just love her so much.
As we drove to dance, your birthday excitement was bubbling over. I kept stealing glances at your happy face.
I just love her so much.
Every few hours, I clicked through your studio’s Instagram stories, hoping to catch a glimpse of you doing what you love.
I just love her so much.
At dinner, as you laughed with your sister and Soph, I soaked up this moment.
I just love her so much.
The day we brought you home from the hospital, I nestled you close. I kept looking over at dad with tears spilling down my cheeks. I kept repeating…
I just love her so much.
Thirteen years later and not much has changed.
I just love her so much.
Where There Is Joy 
Reading your post, I was reminded of the day when our granddaughter born, and I saw her for the first time. How time flies. We are enjoying the company of our daughter and grandchildren.
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Jessica, it’s like that new mom realization of the depth of love has never left – – all these years that fly past quicker than we ever realized before kids – – and she is absolutely beautiful! Look at her there, already a teenager. Happy birthday to your daughter!
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I love how you repeated the line througout. I love how it started in present and had a flashback to the day she was born. I love the image added at the end, that smile! So glad you captured your thoughts on this important day! Congrats, mom, raising a now 13 year old! Thanks for sharing!
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I love this so much- the way that you have captured her present and past on this milestone birthday!
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This is such a heartfelt and beautifully structured post. The repetition is perfect, and like Sally, I really like how it began in the present and ultimately flashbacked to the day of her birth. Happy 13th to your daughter!
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I feel your love for this beautiful girl!
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Jessica,
I see that reciprocal love in your baby girl’s smiling face. 🥰
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This is beautiful and so heart-felt.
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This is so lovely, and she is even lovelier. I liked the back and forth between second person and the refrain in third person. Then when you explained the meaning and origin of “I just love her so much” I could understand. So beautiful, Jess.
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13! And look how much love she has brought into your life! What a wonderful use of refrain here. Happy birthday to you, too!
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Beautiful! Happy birthday to her. You capture your love so well.
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She is absolutely lovely and you have captured the growth of a cherished baby into a precious teen! These really are some wonderful times!
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I dont know about you, but I feel those early teen years just fly by and are so hard to remember and pin down. I think you will be so glad you took the chance to write this lovely poem about your daughter at 13.
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