To My Firstborn: A Love Letter on Your First Birthday

My Dearest Inu,

Happy First Birthday, my love.

You are my firstborn. The first person I fell in lorve with long before I even saw your face. From the moment I knew you were growing inside me, my heart overflowed with love, anticipation, and a kind of devotion I had never known before. I imagined how life would be with you in it, made countless plans, and dreamt of the day I would finally hold you in my arms. Yet, nothing could have prepared me for the moment you arrived.

The second I held your tiny body against my chest, trembling with overwhelming emotions, I knew, without a doubt, that my life had changed forever. I had known love before, but never like this. Not even in the way I love your Papa. You, my precious girl, carry a piece of my heart within you, always and forever.

And oh, your Papa—how he adores you! We used to joke that you would be Papa ki pari, his little princess, but never did we imagine just how true that would become. The moment he first held you, he looked at you like you were the most precious treasure in the world. It was love at first sight for him, a kind of love so deep that, if given a chance, he would never let you go. You were worth all the wait, all the patience, every moment leading up to your arrival.

Your Papa carries you so proudly, as if the world needs to see what a blessing he has been given. He would put you to sleep on his chest, feeling your tiny breaths against his skin, his heart swelling with pride. It was his favorite thing in the world—to have you close, to know that you were his. He still watches over you with the same love, cherishing every little milestone you cross. He tells everyone—his friends, family, even strangers—about you, beaming with pride at every new thing you do. “She rolled over today!” “She took her first step!” “She called me Papa!” You are his pride, his joy, his darling daughter. He loves you to the moon and back, and if he could, he would keep you in his arms forever.

Your Baba dotes on you in his own special way. He watches you with eyes full of wonder, capturing every little moment with his camera, freezing time just so he can show you how incredibly cute, candid, and full of life you are. He wants the world to see what he sees—a little girl so perfect, so full of love, that she makes everything brighter.

Your Mausi—oh, how she adores you! She has loved you long before she even held you. You will always find comfort in her arms, always have her as your guide, your biggest cheerleader, your forever friend.

Your Nani and Nana cherish you more than words can say. They have seen generations grow, but with you, they have felt the excitement of love all over again. You are their little doll, their pride, their blessing.

Your Didi, is your first best friend, the one who will walk beside you as you navigate life. She will protect you, play with you, teach you, and love you in a way only a big sister can. You are lucky to have her, and she is even luckier to have you.

My love, you are surrounded by a family that cherishes you more than anything in this world. You are lucky to be born into a home so full of love, but we are even luckier to have you in it. Always keep warmth in your heart, always be kind, always be grateful. Life will have its ups and downs, but as long as you carry love, warmth, and gratitude in your heart, you will always find happiness.

You are growing so quickly. The days when I cradled you in my arms, the nights when you fell asleep on my chest, the mornings when you gave me your sweetest toothless grin—these moments are slipping away too fast. One day, you will leave the comfort of our home to build a world of your own, but please know that wherever you go, my heart will go too.

On your first birthday, we celebrate you—our little explorer, our tiny adventurer, our greatest blessing. May you always be curious, always be brave, and always know that you are deeply, endlessly loved.

Happy Birthday, my darling Inu.

With all the love in the world,

Mumma