My Little Princess:

How I wish you were here right now. Although days, months, even years have passed, the pain is still so fresh, feels so strong.

I spend so much of my life remembering. Remembering you. Remembering your mom. There are so many things I think of. So many things I miss. Like how you would put your arms around me and hug and kiss me whenever I was having a bad day. Your bright eyes, the sound of your voice calling me “Daddy,” and those oh-so-big bear hugs meant the world to me. You always cheered me up.

(I could use one from you right now!)

I miss your ever-smiling face, the way I held your little hand in mine as we shopped, our weekly dates to the bookstore, and our secret missions to find and enjoy some junk food. (Mommy was such a health nut -- she wouldn't take you to those places.)

I miss when you crawled into bed next to me after you had a disturbing dream, then cuddled up close and fell right back to sleep.

I miss kissing you good-bye every time I left the house. You wouldn’t have it any other way.

I miss saying prayers with you every night before you went to sleep, even when I was away on business. You made sure that I called at your bedtime so we could pray together.

I miss taking turns reading to each other at night. You were such an excellent reader, and I loved hearing your voice and watching your joy as you learned new words.

I miss your singing in the house, your little stage skits, and how proud you made me when you where chosen to sing with Celine Dion. I know you worked so hard for that opportunity, and you were wonderful.

I miss your messy room. What I wouldn't give to be able to sit down in the middle of that mess right now and help you clean it.

I miss making you a healthy lunch every morning so that you always ate well at school.

I miss brushing your beautiful long hair and putting it in a ponytail.

I miss painting your fingernails.

I miss our cuddle time.

I miss the fact that I will not see you grow up into a fine woman.

Chelsea, you were a gift from God.

I knew the moment we saw you, as you came off the plane from Korea, that you were my little girl. And when I held you and looked at your tiny face, I never would have guessed what a joy and honor it would be to have such a precious and sweet girl for a daughter.

You have no idea how you changed my life. I love your two brothers, but there is something to be said about daddy and his little girl. Daughters affect their fathers profoundly. God only knows the true impact they have on our lives.

You definitely had a major impact on me.

I know you're in Heaven right now with Mommy. And I know I'm supposed to be happy about that. But it still hurts. Because I'll never forget those big hugs you always had for me. I love you very much and look forward to the day that I get to see you and Mommy once again. When that day arrives, I'll be able to turn these tears of grief and sorrow into tears of joy.

Daddy