Okay, I’m kinda cheating because I didn’t take this photo. However, today is my youngest daughter’s birthday, and I wanted to commemorate the day by using her photo. Every year, I tell her her birthday story, the story of the day she was born. It is a yearly ritual that I do for both of my daughters, and I am unbelievably happy that they want to hear it as much as I love to tell it.

Anela was born eleven days before a tragic event in my life, and having this precious baby just then was part of my healing. I held her close, along with her sister, and thanked God that I could keep going because of them.

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau, Anela, my beloved girl. I love you!