Emily was born on the Jewish holiday of Purim—a holiday that includes masquerading, celebrating, and enjoying delicious food. After over twenty hours of sitting around and waiting for something to actually, you know, happen, my OB went off of his shift, went home to his family to celebrate the holiday and then returned to the hospital to catch my new baby girl. This year, when she discovered that her birthday would fall again on the Jewish holiday of Purim, she was over-the-moon excited. Masquerading, celebrating, and enjoying delicious food. Everyone would be doing it..FOR HER.

“The Black Swan, obviously,” she said, when asked about her costume of choice.

“Obviously.”

“Yes.”

“Wait…why obviously?”

*eye roll*

The more I thought about it, the more I couldn’t think of a better costume for my NOW 11-year-old daughter.

In life, she plays this white swan/black swan role to perfection. Living with a preteen is basically almost exactly like living with THE SWAN.

In some moments, I see the white swan—she’s gentle, she’s sweet, she’s fragile, she’s sensitive. She’s cuddly and loving and funny and silly and goofy. She’s carefree. She’s charming and elegant.

And then I blink.

In some moments, I see the black swan—she’s strong, she’s fierce, she’s passionate, she’s a force to be reckoned with. She’s dedicated. She’s running for student council president and perfecting her roles in her stage productions. She’s focused and calculated.

It’s not easy, this being a parent to such an amazing 11-year-old girl in flux.

But I really wouldn’t have it any other way.

Because flux-y 11-year-olds grow up to be whatever they want to be—possibly even playing the swans in productions of Swan Lake. 

Happy birthday my little lady. I love you.