dear ben,

you turn nine today. how in the world did a year go by that fast? i look at you and it seems not much has changed; your hair is still white, you’re still on your way to becoming a rock star and your fingernails are still dirty. but when i really look at you, i realize how much bigger you’ve gotten and by looking at last year’s post, i can literally see how much bigger your hands are (an aspect of taking these series pictures i hadn’t thought about, but am SO happy to see). they will never, however, be as big as your heart.

i love you tons, kiddo.

maddie wanted to say hi. (ps, think of her….the big snip is happening today, too.)