Author's Note: I've gotten a few questions about Timmy. Mark is his father, but I don't know if I'd have Callie or Arizona as his biological mother.
Hey Sofia,
Your parents don't know that I've been writing you a letter every year since your third birthday. I saw your dad writing his and thought it was a nice idea and wanted to do it too. They have put their letters to you in your memory box that they keep for you with things like a lock of hair from your first haircut and your first report card. I keep mine in an old shoebox in the back of the closet that I know your dad will never open.
I like to think that the two of us have a special bond. You know I'm not one of your moms, and I don't try to be your mother. Sure, I take care of you, but we seem to have more of an aunt-niece type relationship. I love that I get to be a part of your life, but I always thought that having two moms is plenty for you. You come to me with questions I like to think you would never ask your moms or dad.
On your first day of first grade, your teacher asked everyone in your class to draw a picture of your family and then share it with the class. You drew your moms, your dad, Timmy, and myself. I picked you up from school that day and you asked me on the way home why you had more parents than anyone else in your class. I said it was because you were so special, you needed a lot of people to love you. The answer seemed to satisfy your curiosity for then, but I know there's going to come a day when it doesn't.
What else can I tell you about yourself as you turn seven? You have decided that you don't want to be a doctor when you grow up because you don't like blood. You've been asking for a little sister ever since Meredith and Derek adopted another baby last summer. You love having sleepovers with your cousin and best friend, Zola. I still don't understand everyone's fascination with the ferry boats and I grew up in Seattle, just like you are. Maybe you can explain that to me when you read this letter. You started Brownies last fall and weren't too excited about it. Once I told you about how much fun I had at Girl Scout camp, you couldn't wait to sign up. I'm not sure where you get your outdoorsy-ness from, but I know it's not from your dad.
Happy Birthday, Kiddo!
3 Lexie