1. To Caitlin on her 21st Birthday!

2. My dear Caitlin: It’s your 21st birthday, and you are not home! You are on the road, as usual.

3. Wherever you are, I hope you are being treated like a princess!

4. If you were here, I would throw you a big party.

5. We’d invite all your friends.Old friends…..

6. More old friends…

7. New friends….

8. Family….

9. And more family…

10. And even some animal friends

11. Since you are 21 now, I would even serve cocktails

12. …and of course, there would be (gluten free) cake!

13. Do you think you could blow out 21 candles?

14. …and presents!

15. After your party, you could take a nap in your own comfy bed

16. When you got up from your nap we would sit around and I would reminisce about the old days…

17. I would remind you how very lucky you are. You got my natural grace and beauty….

18. …and your father’s strength, as well as his sense of adventure…

19. I would tell you all about the day you were born. Dr. Miller did a good job delivering you; you can hardly see the dent he put in your head with the forceps.

20. All your family and friends were so happy to finally meet you.

21. We would talk about how much you’ve grown and how much you’ve learned. I was so proud of you when you learned how to use the potty! You usually still use the potty, at least when there’s one around 

22. I always knew you were going to be a scholar…

23. Just look how enthusiastic you were on your first day of school!

24. In some ways, you are just the same as when you were a little girl. You are still just as cute…

25. You still love animals…

26. And you still have such a sweet, shy personality

27. But no matter how far you travel or how much you change and grow…

28. You will always be my darling baby

29. Happy Birthday, darling.I love you!