This day had been coming for years and it's finally upon all of us. Namely me. Things have just gone to the next level with my oldest "child". As of today, Mariah finally turns 18. It's rather difficult to not refer to her as my "child" anymore when today is the day she is officially a legal adult. Nor more child.
I still get people telling me to this day that I don't look old enough to have a daughter that age. Of course, it's only those people who haven't known me that long. Still, I don't feel old enough to have a daughter that age. And the older she gets, the older it makes me feel. That's all part of the aging process though.
To be fair, Mariah has technically been an adult since she and Elijah moved to Texas last year with their mother. State law there mandates that a person becomes an adult at age 17. Still not sure what inspired them to come up with that law. But then again, this is Texas we're talking about.
Her becoming an adult had me reflecting on all the many memories of her as a child. Things that span the entire 18 years. Like going back as early as when she was first born. Over three months premature in 1991. Who would have thought that a baby weighing just barely over 2 pounds would grow up to be so healthy? It certainly wasn't an easy road starting out, but thanks to the grace of God she made grew stronger and is still with us today because of it.
I think about things like how so much has changed since the day she was born. Look at how big her family has gotten since then. She was the first and only grandchild at the time she was born. She is now joined by seven others. At least for now. I certainly hope with as old as me and my sisters are that everyone's done. I know I am.
Now things are going to start even drastically more to add even more to her history. Or maybe this has more to do with her future. I just received confirmation that she will be coming to live with us starting next week. I believe "anxious" is a pretty accurate description to explain the feeling. Mariah hasn't lived with me since she was 4-years-old and a lot has changed with her and I since then. This should be quite an interesting experience.
