I know, I’m a sap. But what do you expect? Look at those 3, they’re incredible. I remember being one of those teenagers who always said things like “I’ll never have kids”. And sometimes when I wake abruptly and still in a dream fugue, I am still that person. I can’t imagine wanting people to actually depend on me for their life, I feel like I barely have it together enough to take care of myself, let alone 3 tiny humans. But humans are adaptable, and I could not imagine having it any other way now.

Lucky for me, Ella came to me first (She is on the far right, and is 9). In a lot of ways, she is the one raising me. Deeply reflective and aware, incredibly intelligent and thoughtful; she is nurturing beyond her years. She is so funny, and reads joke books in her spare time. She is the only one of my children who got my love for cuddling, and we are a perfect fit. Loving her is like being a ship in the harbor. She is obviously my favorite.

Luna is wild, and really there is nothing else to be said about her (middle, 5 years old). She is like some forest spirit, somehow coerced into a human body. She is the wind and a storm, and the rainbow afterwords. Sometimes I hear her laugh and I feel like crying because it is so beautiful. She is deeply caring and observant. Loving her is absolutely effortless. She is obviously my favorite.

Last is my tiny son William Arlo (left, 1 year old). He reminds to find happiness in small things. He is joy and laughter. He was born into pandemic and always surrounded by people who love him (obsessively), he has never known anger or annoyance or irritation, and he radiates the byproducts of that. He is goodness. He is sweetness. Loving him is exciting and infectious. He is obviously my favorite.

They all make me smile near constantly. All of their wonderfulnesses are derived from their mother. She is created from something rare and precious and she has given these creatures the best of that. I love her completely and so does anyone who has ever met her.

I have said this before, but I tell them all constantly that they are my favorite behind each other’s backs, and it’s absolutely true.

This prompt was the easiest one of the entire challenge. I knew the picture before I even decided to do the prompt. This picture captures them all so much better than any planned one could, and it is my favorite for the simple fact that it is deeply personal; it is not something that anyone else would buy as a print, or ever end up in an art museum. It is just for me.