I can hardly believe it has been 16 years since that cold winter day when I first met my Kelsey, now grown into this gorgeous ‘Ginger’ Irish lass.

Kelsey was a horrible baby. She really was! Colicky, screaming all the time. But she grew out of it, and even though the colick blossomed into temper tantrums, all her adorable ways and precociousness made up for it.

Kelsey talked very early and never stopped. You could hear her cute little high-pitched voice all day, even when she was alone in her room. She always had an observation to make about people or the world around her or always had a make-believe story to tell. She also loved to listen to stories, in fact she listened so avidly and wide-eyed that this is where I began my tradition of making up grandiose stories about the world. Often while telling my stories you could see the look of wonder and slight suspicion on the kids’ faces, like they didn’t know whether or not to believe me. (I still make up stories but they just laugh at my silliness now.)

As a young child Kelsey tried sports but didn’t like having people chase after her in soccer and in baseball she spent most of her time doing pirouettes in the outfield, her glove on her face as she gazed upwards toward the sky.  Then Kelsey discovered dance and her true artistic talents began to emerge.

Kelsey is a very kind, sweet person. She has always made friends with people she thinks really need her friendship most. She has always tried to make people feel happy and comfortable and loved and that naturally joyful spirit always shines. She is not judgmental and is very vocal when others are! She accepts everyone for who they are, warts and all. She understands that no one is perfect, but that everyone needs love. She is always willing to volunteer time, energy and even her own money to help those in need. Kelsey especially loves animals and has always been an advocate for them. She has always been a hard worker and has always excelled in school as a result. In 11 years of school she has not spent a single day in detention. I have never received a call from a teacher except to tell me nice things about her.

Kelsey has always been young at heart, never trying to grow up too fast or act any older than her age. At the same time, Kelsey has always had a very emotional “wiseness” about her.

I am very proud to have such a wonderful daughter. I can’t imagine wanting anything more in a child, or a person. Happy Birthday, my love!

Please take a look at the scrapbooks of photos and the video collage of her life. Most importantly, leave a memory that you’ve had either of her or with her on the “Memories” page so we can laugh and embarrass her!