don't wanna miss a thing

My sweet baby Caroline,

It's nearly 9pm on your 4th birthday. What a day it's been! You had such a great time with your friends tonight- coloring, dancing, making bracelets...so busy!
But, right now you're having a hard time settling down, and I've just put some nice soft music (muu-stick!) on for you, and I think that'll do the trick. You'll be sleeping peacefully very soon.
I heard a song on the radio this morning, it's a song that always makes me think of you.


I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing

Lying close to you feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing

I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
Well, I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time

Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
Cause I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing

Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don't wanna miss a thing
***********************

I think that's why I never could bring myself to put you down to sleep when you were a newborn. I didn't want to miss a thing. I think I was afraid you might actually disappear in front of my eyes if I weren't holding you close to me.
We waited.
and you came.
Just like your middle name: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
We had faith you'd be here, we just didn't know when you would come home to us.
We thank God for you, and pray that your twin sister Grace is held in His arms.
We love you. Always.