Avelyn’s first birthday was a gong show. On that fateful day, our orchard got annihilated by a hail storm which rendered the crop damaged beyond salvage, there was a torrential downpour that flooded the basement of the rental home we were storing all of our friend’s belongings in, and I remember feeling so overwhelmed and wearied by it all. We tried to have her party in the midst of the chaos (as guests arrived we ushered them to the rental house and begged them to help us haul out all the soggy furniture from the drenched basement) and at the end of the night, a brilliant rainbow spread across the sky. I remember holding my one year-old baby girl, breathing a sigh of relief and gratitude that it was maybe, just maybe, all going to be ok.

This week we celebrated Avelyn’s 10th birthday. While her party was going on, a wild thunderstorm raged overhead and everyone was shrieking with fear and delight as we felt the house shake and watched the sky flash with streaks of lightning. Slowly, a rainbow began to form, arching high over the orchard, and I called out for Avelyn to join me on the deck again.

Where the past nine years have gone, I’m not entirely sure. I am so thankful for our amazing girl.

Happy 10th Birthday, Avelyn Paige!