November 5th

Today should have been another amazing day. But for me, it is always the day my sweet Julie took her first and last breath. Although I only held her in my arms for a moment, I have held her in my heart for all eternity.

When I started writing I Want a Birthday Party, it only made sense to name Annie's new sweet porcupine friend Julie—birthday twins who together learn the true meaning of birthdays. The book is dedicated to my Julie, a small but lasting way to honor her memory and the love that never fades.

Annie, the real one, celebrates her birthday just a few days later. Her day has always been about celebrating her accomplishments and the incredible life she has built—the amazing human being she has become.

But Julie will always be my angel baby with wings. Her birthday will forever be a day of remembrance and love for her very short, yet deeply meaningful, life.

Some days remind us how fragile life can be, but also how love continues to grow—through stories, memories, and the people who keep those memories alive.