Why I Thanked Yohan For Being Understanding

Every year, we prepare a birthday party for Yohan. Her 6th birthday was a bit different.  We were in Safeway the other day, she immediately pointed at the Frozen themed birthday cake. "Mommy, I want that for my birthday". I just nodded. I thought she forgot already, then a day after when we were in Seafood city she mentioned it again and described her cake vividly. She was so ecstatic about having a party. So I talked to her 

"Yohan, mommy doesn't have enough money to prepare for your party right now. We're not having that Frozen cake because we are saving money. Tell you what, let's save more money then maybe we can go to Disneyland again. We'll celebrate your birthday there" 

She just said ok. She didn't seem sad. But, what made ME a little sad was the magnitude of her understanding that I didn't expect. That morning, after Jeff dropped her off to school. I asked how she was. Then Jeff told me 

Yohan: "Daddy am I 6 today?" 

Jeff: "Yes, happy birthday!" 

Yohan: "Yay! I'm just going to pretend we have a party because mommy said we're saving money for Disneyland" 

That day before I went to work, I bought a musical card, magnet (she likes it), little pony toy, cherry gummies, and doc mcstuffins bath set. All the things she likes. 

We didn't buy her a big cake, Jeff got her a big cupcake. Her eyes lit up when Jeff put one candle on top. She made a wish and blew the candle. She said her wish was to have more toys. I asked if she was happy even though we didn't have a big party. She said she was and that she liked her presents. She is six and I can say I was a lot different when I was six. I remember throwing a tantrum at the market when I was her age because I wanted to get the pair of shoes I liked. My dream is for her to stay this way until she grows old. It's a good trait, I'm sure she got from her father's side. 

P.S. For her birthday I signed her up for a "donate a book in your library" at her school. We bought her a book, it has her name on it but it went back to her school library. It felt good, she was able to do something nice for her birthday. 

Yohan when you're old enough to read this. I want you to know how proud I am of you. I love it when you come running just to give me a tight hug. When you join me in my bed when I'm reading, just to hug me and tell me you love me so much. It breaks my heart when you tell me to not yell at you because it hurts your feelings. I'm sorry. I love the little trinkets you make me. Be it a bracelet made of electrical tape, a crown made of ginger ale box, your origami, stars from rubber bands, drawing as family. I love them all. Happy birthday, we love you. -- Mommy