this is a five year old

it's true. today is the day. this girl is five. FIVE. oh collette. you have been so distinctive from the moment you came into this world. and i can't imagine it's going to be any different the rest of your life. i should have known. i'm pretty sure you winked at me in the hospital the day after you were born. not blinked, winked. looked right at me and just gave me a little wink. like we had a secret. a little thing going that no one else knew about. at the time i thought it was it was because you had little tufts of hair on the tops of your ears, and i wasn't supposed to let anyone know you were part elf. they went away of course, but i'm still not convinced you don't have a little elf or fairy or something darn special about you. its the twinkle. and the hugs. oh my lord, the hugs. fierce, sudden things. you come at me, arms spread open, and you latch on like a leech. the most loving, adorable leech of course. arms and legs wrapped so tightly around me that i don't even need to use my arms to keep you there. i could walk around and do dishes, you hug so tightly. i could tuck a bottle of water into your pocket and wear you around like a backpack. hey, not a bad idea... regardless, you are an unbelievable little girl. and will be a stunning woman. it's a future i have a hard time thinking about, because it's so bright i get a little choked up, and have to squint a bit, and clear my throat. i love you my sweet sweet girl. so very much. even when your 32 and i'm giving you a hard time about keeping your bathroom tidy or buying better cuts of meat, remember how much i love you. ok? ok.