Back in 1976 I was three years old and my mom took me to the park. While I was playing, mom met a another mother who had a three year old little girl too, named Tricia. Tricia and I formed a friendship from that day that is like no other. Time passed but she and I have stayed close throughout it all.
Even though I live in North Carolina now and Tricia is home in Ohio, we still talk on the phone at all hours -laughing away like time stands still.
In 1998, Tricia and her husband had a beautiful baby girl named Mackenzie. She was a perfect bundle of pink happiness. It was so cute to see her little fingers and toes and be in awe of such a blessing. Fast forward to 2001 when Adam and I got married, Mackenzie was our flower girl. She took her job very seriously making sure that each flower petal found its place. It was amazing to think that Tricia and I were just around the same age as Mackenzie when we met at that park. For whatever reason, even though I know that Mackenzie is 14 years old now, I still think of her as that cute little flower girl from our wedding.
Tricia and I were talking on Saturday and she was telling me that Mackenzie made the freshman attendant for our high school's Homecoming court. She told me about the game, the dance, Mackenzie's dress...finally she said, "Go get on your computer and see the pictures". As soon as I logged on, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Mackenzie was beautiful. So grown and tall and by no means a baby flower girl anymore. Tricia could tell I was shocked at how much she had grown even in the past year. That's when she said what hit me the hardest..."It goes by so fast." I looked over at my three year old little girl and tried to imagine Lauren Elizabeth as a freshman in high school while a knot welled up in my throat.
I don't know if I'll ever feel "old" no matter what my age, but it made me realize just how quickly time passes. I think tonight when our baby girl puts on her princess dress and wants to dance around the room I'll pick her up and dance with her instead. Seeing Mackenzie made me realize just how fast things really do change.
We're so proud of you Mackenzie! Congratulations to you and have fun in high school! Lauren Elizabeth can't wait to see you again and says that you are a "Pincess" now. We know that you always have been though, ever since the day you were born.