From the time she was little she has played with Lego, thrown balls, ran around dirty, and dug in the dirt in the lovely dresses I put on her. Her favorite thing in the world was to follow her brothers around, wherever they went and watch whatever they did. She never complained or fussed or wanted them to do "her" thing - she just loved being in their presence, watching their every move, listening to their every sound, contently from the side lines.
A few years ago, Adam was really into digging holes. He would wake up early, eat his breakfast as fast as he could and then go into the garage, carefully pick the right shovel for the day and head out to his digging hole. Lauren would also wake up early, eat her breakfast, pack a little bag of snacks for herself and her brother and wander outside to find Adam digging.
She would stand beside that digging hole for HOURS in crazy Texas heat, just to simply watch her brother dig... and dig.... and dig. When he was tired and stopped for a rest, she would hand him a snack and they would laugh and chat. I would watch them from the window and a small bit of me wished I could be a part of that moment, to hear their conversations, and laugh along with them. A small bit of me wanted to run out and join them.... but what I wanted more, was not to ruin what was being created, what was theirs. What I wanted most, was for their friendship to grow and deepen and become strong. And it has!
To this day, Lauren and Adam are best friends. They sleep in each others rooms, they play games together, they work together, they read stories to each other. Sure they fight with each other, but they stick up for each other too, and most importantly, they love each other. Mr Anderson and I joke that they behave like a old married couple. It really warms my heart.
Anyway, since Lauren has always been so easy, and never really demands or asks for anything, I jump when the occasion arises....especially when it involves something pink and delicious.
And why not?
She is the first to offer help when she sees my hands are full. She is the first to offer me a taste of whatever she is eating or drinking. She writes loves notes to me, Mr Anderson and her brothers, all the time, leaving them on our pillows. She has even tip toed into my room in the morning and made my bed for me before I have had a chance to get to it. She loves to nurture and take care of everyone. She is always so thoughtful and giving. Which in all honestly, is kind of a nice surprise, considering she is the baby of the family AND the only girl. If someone was going to be selfish and spoiled and have a chance to get away with it, that would be the profile that fits. But she is just so cool and fun and sweet - I don't know how I got so lucky to have her as a daughter.
One day she is going to break Mr Anderson's heart when she leaves. She is the only girl who can actually get Mr. Anderson to smile AND dance at the same time.
So, her request.....
to bake a white cake with pink icing.
Well, we baked and iced and ate..... and we were happy.
And guess where Lauren ate her cake?
Beside Adam....on the floor.....as they colored.
And just this once, I feel like I had my cake and ate it too.....
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