The Daisy Birthday

I remember Daisy's first birthday party. From her Minnie Mouse throne of a high chair, she ruled the event. She wore gift bows as her crown and waved a grape Tootsie Roll Pop to keep our attention. And all of our eyes were riveted on her, the prettiest--the only--baby in the dining room.

On Friday, Daisy turned 21. Big Guy and I drove to Columbia, Mo., to meet her for dinner at a nicely grown-up restaurant. Her roommates joined us. They brought Daisy's wallet. She had forgotten it on the one occasion when she yearned to be carded. Then the waiter forgot to card her. So Daisy waved her I.D. in the air, until he checked it. In that moment, she reminded me of the Tootsie Roll Pop-waving tot, so certain of her well-loved place in the world.

The tot Daisy, with candy-sticky hair and chocolate cake-frosting'd face, got put to bed shortly after her first birthday party. On that night, Big Guy and I stayed up to toast ourselves as parents...successful parents of a now sleeping one-year-old.

On this 21st birthday, after dinner with her parents, Daisy and her friends hit the bars of downtown Columbia for her first swing at full-fledged adulthood. Big Guy and I reminded her to be careful and gave her money for a taxi in case her ride fell through. Then we drove two hours home and put ourselves to bed. That's the ending shared by two exceptional birthdays for one exceptional girl. Someone went to bed. And someone celebrated long into the night.

Happy Birthday Daisy!