Daughter of mine

As my daughter prepares to marry this weekend, I want to take a minute here to share my love of her.

(I love BOTH my daughters equally and individually for who they are.)

From the day she was born she has brought joy to hubby and me.  She was an easy baby and toddler.  She smiled easily and watched her big sister a lot.  For awhile she called big sister ‘sissy’ because she couldn’t say her name.   It was so cute to hear in her little voice.

I figured out early on she was pretty smart.  She had a way of giving an adorable look and smile that said “how can you say no to me?”   And it was hard not to fall for  it.   When she was a toddler and we lived on a street full of children in Atlanta, she had the other moms wrapped around her finger with that look, that twinkle in her eye.  My next door neighbor Venita would tell me to ‘watch that one” because she has us figured out!     During that time we lived near her Nannie who lovingly called  her her “Sweetie Pie.”   Other nicknames: Krist-onian balon-Ian,  and K-Fab.

Once my daughter started school she jumped in from day one, using that smile, BUT also always earning her way.  From the beginning she took education seriously.  Her “type A” personality showed up at a young age.  She wanted top grades.  She wanted to excel in everything she did.    I never ever had to push her to do her work.

I think during elementary school it all came pretty easy for her, but I remember later in her education where she stayed up many late nights to study, to prepare the best she could.    Many a Friday afternoon she would come home from school, exhausted from the week, and fall  asleep on her bed.  I’d have to wake her for dinner.  We always had “Fabian Family Friday Dinner Out” and it was an important time for all four of us to spend together. Friends were welcome to join us. But, we kept the dinner tradition going for a long time.   I guess we are responsible for her love of dining out!

During her elementary years she also started violin lessons.  Her choice of instrument.   Not an easy one to learn.    She studied privately from 2nd grade through her senior year in high school.  She also played in the school and the county youth orchestra. She was in a strings group that played weddings and parties.   Did you know she can play?   She’s very talented.  One day she may pick it up again when  her life is not so busy.

She also dove into learning the Russian language in high school.   Again, her choice.  She got to go on her first trip to Russia in high school.  And, she continued learning all things Russian through college.  She did two more trips over there as part of her education, once spending a whole summer there, living with a Russian family.   At college she became president the Russian Club.

This daughter followed her father in terms of study and picked business as her major.   She was in the Honors college at College of Charleston, and she graduated with high grades.  She went on to achieve her Masters degree at UVA, and then studied and passed all parts of her CPA exam first time through.

Ok.  I’ve told you about her determination and her achievements.   But, there is much much more to my daughter!   She was a typical kid growing up.  She had her moments of defying me… testing me.   Oh, nothing bad.  But, she was strong willed and knew she could get to me.   And she did. Lol

Some of my favorite moments with her include:  our trips to Europe with the county orchestra. It was really mother-daughter time of sharing hotel rooms, exploring new places together, etc.  I was proud of her love of music and how it gave us the opportunity to spend time together.     I remember the many times in the car as I shuttled her to lessons and rehearsals.   I’d pick her up from school and bring a snack for her to eat on the way.  She had very long days!

As an adult, she and I have continued to  love the same music and  she has been my “concert partner” – really it started back in her college days.  I’d drive down to Charleston and we would meet up for dinner and then go to a live concert or musical theatre.  Now, we still enjoy it very much and I hope it never stops.

Recently she became a certified yoga instructor. Again, it’s something she discovered, went for, and it has made a big part of her life. I’m glad because I think it helps balance her busy lifestyle.

Words I use to describe my daughter:   Reliable, caring, smart, honest (she can’t keep secrets – ha), respectful, loving, family-oriented.     Her new hubby is getting me – and her dad and sister too.  I thank him for that.  We are a package deal!

People say we are a good family.   The “Fab Four”!!   I feel so blessed in so many ways as a family, and when moments like this coming weekend happen, I stop and thank God.   I don’t know WHY, but God is with us – always.

My daughter is a gift.  Like I started this post, what a joy she is!  I can’t wait to see her walk down the aisle Saturday.