Dear Eden...a letter to our daughter

Dear Eden,

You burst into our lives according to a divinely woven plan from a surprising and immediate conception despite the statistics to an early arrival 3 weeks early immediately after the doctor visit with no signs of impending labor. We are so glad that you made a safe early arrival because we were gifted 3 extra weeks with you. I hoped you would be here by my favorite holiday, Easter. You sealed our Winter and brought Spring- joy and beauty from ashes just as the Resurrection story of Easter does. 

As you slowly came into this world on your birthday, you crumbled so many walls I've had for years along the way. You brought forward a rawness and vulnerability in my soul that can no longer be contained or neatly packed away as I've perfected over the years. You brought with you grace for me to be beautiful mess, a better mother to you. 

You also opened a new door for your father and me. It's been a gift to watch this man fulfill his dream and his destiny of becoming a father. 

On that note, I am a much older mother than I thought I would be as a younger woman, but as you will learn through the years, I was waiting for the best father for you. You were always a dream in my heart that guided my decisions, and the most important one was finding an extraordinary husband and father who shared the same hopes and dreams for you. May you always watch him and and hold the highest standards for any man as you witness how well he loves and cares for me and for you. He is a fierce advocate and champion for women and equality. He was so excited to learn that you were a girl early on in my pregnancy because he knows women are the key to change the world. He was ecstatic to know that he can be part of this change by raising such a catalyst, a daughter. 

We have cherished our time in the hospital and then at home becoming a family of three. We are not apologetic for holding you longer than recommended, drowning you in kisses, and snuggling you so close that we become intoxicated by your sweet newborn scent. We keep looking at you and then looking at each other in amazement of you.

We chose your name years ago. We had a dream and YOU came true - exactly you. 

We knew we would name you Eden. It means "delightful." It reminded me of God's gift in all its richness and fertility for growth, life and lushness. It reminded me of God's true intention for all of us. "Fruitful" and "natural beauty" also came to mind as we will do our best to raise you with the best of values and "water you" so that you can bear fruit and be the source of what is healthy, beneficial and resourceful. It won't be because of our work directly but a result of what God will bring about in and through you as it says in 1 Corinthians 3:7, "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." 

Wilson is a name that honors one of the greatest men I've known. Wilson is your maternal grandfather's name. He's been a strong influence in my life and has lovingly guided me to be the woman I've become- from questioning the way things are, to finding solutions to problems I see, to respecting others across SES, race, age and life experiences. I could go on and on. I hope that his influence in my life passes to you and I know I'll see glimpses of him on this earth in you long after he is gone. His legacy is entrusted in you. 

Yolisa honors your South African heritage. South Africa is a most special place to me. Your father and I met there, and it is your father's home country. It was chosen by your father's family based on what we wanted your name to mean and what we wanted you to represent. In Xhosa, it means "joy" or "to bring joy." You have already fulfilled this wholeheartedly. I know you will continue to bring joy to those around you. I also pray that you remember that joy is a choice and that you choose it despite the circumstances in which you find yourself. 

As the picture in your nursery reminds us every time we walk in, 

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. 

Before you were born, I set you apart." 

Jeremian 1:5

We cannot wait to support you as you grow and step into your place in this world. 

Eden, you are exquisite. As we marvel at your perfect features, you have allowed us special glimpses into Heaven. We are the proudest recipients of God's blessing, redemption and handiwork. 

We love you and are so grateful to be your parents.

Love,
Mom