Dear Bennett, Letter 10.

Dear Bennett,

There are times when I look back on photographs of my childhood and I think, What was I wearing?!  I can’t believe they dressed me like that!

For instance, I already looked like a boy when I was a baby, so decking me out in blue wasn’t necessarily the most helpful.  From my adult perspective, I don’t believe that once I got older I was the greatest at coordinating my own ensembles; but I’m sure that I was confident in my wardrobe choices at the time.

Now, I don’t know if you’re going to look back on your baby pictures and wonder, What was my mom thinking?!  What’s with all the bunnies and monkeys and puppies?!  

Bennett, let me explain the entire wardrobe of the first year of your life: It is a celebration of the kindness and generosity that others have bestowed upon us.  When you look back on your infancy and you see that you weren’t living life butt naked, it’s not because your father and I were so wonderful, but that the Lord was wonderful in providing for your needs in a variety of ways.  (In fact, I don’t think that up to this point I’ve purchased more than one pair of boots and a onesie for you.)

You’ve received some pretty adorable hand-me-downs!  Like this one:

But because shopping for baby clothes is so irresistible, you’ve also received some precious garments like this one:

But one of my favorites (that, I’ll admit, HAS to be as much a gift for ME as it is for YOU) is a handmade piece from our friend, Leslie.  See?

Now Leslie didn’t have to do that.  She has her own business making heirloom baby clothes and could have easily saved a lot of time by purchasing you a regular, modern-day romper.  But because she’s so happy for us and because she’s well aware of my love for the children’s book, The Little Prince, she made that one just for you!

So, no, you’re not allowed to look back at your baby pictures once you’re grown up and tease me for how I dressed you.  ‘Cause you know what?  All I’ll see is how blessed we are… in all sorts of colors, fabrics and prints.

With a growing love,

Your Mom

(Other letters: One, Five, Eight)