Zackary's Birthday Letter
- Megan Landry
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Dear Zackary,
The time has come for your annual Birthday letter. Tomorrow, you turn 4 years old. I know it seems cliche, but I truly can hardly believe I have a four-year-old. It feels like an entire lifetime has happened since I first held you in my arms.
This was a tough year, Zack. When 2025 began, I was not in a great head space because of politics and losing a little hope in humanity. Then, we all came down with Covid. When Dad and I got it, we were both pretty sick. Shortly after that, Dad had to go to the hospital (which you called a hosp-a-bowl). It took some time to figure out what was going on, but it turns out Dad has an autoimmune liver disease. Once the doctors figured it out, he was able to feel healthy again with the right dose of medication. It was kind of a scary time, but you were so brave. You spent a lot of time with family and friends in those weeks and were brave enough to visit dad in the hospital with me. I will never forget the kindness we were shown through our family, friends, your daycare, and our church.
By March, you were fully potty trained! I remember being so nervous about potty training at this time last year- we had started practicing with you but weren't there yet. By March, you were officially in big boy underwear and did not have accidents. I was so proud of you!
Things were kind of quiet again until the spring. Leo got sick, and had surgery, only to then get an infection at his surgery site. He was in and out of the vet quite a few times. It was another little scare for all of us, but both of you were troopers during the process.
In June, we took a family trip to Pennsylvania. We went to the city that Mimi lived in as a small child, and we even got to visit some of her family members. You loved Lancaster. Our Airbnb was on beautiful property, and we were able to watch the family next door do their farming and see their horse running around. We also visited a chocolate factory, rode on a train, and ate a LOT of ice cream. I think your favorite parts were the horse and meeting Aunt Peggy, Mimi's Aunt.
July was exciting, too. You and I had a brand-new experience together- SUMMER CAMP! We attended overnight camp with 100 so of our friends from church. We had a great time. You were really quiet and timid, which is understanding being around so many new people and that you were the youngest camper. But I was still proud of you for trying new things, making new friends, and participating in (most) of the activities. A highlight for me was watching the older kids take such gentle care of you.
We had a couple of really fun summer activities, like swimming lessons, the Fourth of July parade, soccer, splash pads, a quick trip to Northern MI, and the ZOO. We got a Zoo membership this year and boy, was it worth it. You loved going to the zoo, and we went often so that I could get a walk in we could enjoy seeing all the animals together. You especially loved the Zebra's (you said they are "your name" because they start with Z), the rhinos, and the Warthogs.
In the fall, you sort of not really officially started preschool. Technically, you had already been in Ms. Rosa's preschool room since late spring, but since you spent your summer doing "camp" in the classroom, I wanted to make sure you truly got time with Ms. Rosa as your teacher. She is a wonderful teacher, and you have learned so much from her. This fall, we've also done sports class, apple orchards, more zoo visits, and lots of fun things in between. I also had to spend a lot of time taking care of Mimi as she healed from a broken ankle. You were, once again, a trooper as I went back and forth to care for her. You came with me a few times, and were gracious if I was home late or rushing us out the door for school. We celebrated Halloween by doing ALL the things- Spooktacular, Zoo Boo, and Trick or Treating! You dressed as Slimer and a Dinosaur.
And now, here we are. To your birthday.
Before I tell you how much you've grown this year, I want to tell you some of the things you liked. You remained a major fan of all things CARS. I feel confident we have over 100 toy cars in our house. Your best friends were Nolan, Anthony, Greyson, Lily, and Baker, although I think you are a kid that becomes friends with just about anyone. You still love your Tonie box and each week; we pick out two Tonies from the library to borrow. You love to play outside, read books, play with cars, do art projects, play hide and go seek. You also like to "pretend" you are a baby. You like to listen to songs or stories in the car. Some of "moms" music that you like include Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan, Honey by Taylor Swift, and No One Mourns the Wicked from Wicked. You also love the song Ms. New Booty but that's a story for another day that came to be after we were talking about the Pirates Booty snack. Recently, you have been into Paw Patrol.
Zackary, you have grown so much this year. You conquered potty training. You went to sleepaway camp at just 3 years old. You did swim lessons without mom in the water for the first time. You were so brave. And you are so loved. When I think of all the things I am grateful for, I think a top one is how loved you are by so many older kids and adults. Of course, you have us and your aunts and uncles and grandparents, but you also have loving teachers, your friends' parents, and adults at Church like Natalia and Paula and Pastor Jennifer. Plus, there are kids at church who look out for you, like Sam, Olivia, Rosa, Braedyn, Laikyn, Anson.
At camp, you were so quiet that several kids and adults thought that you didn't talk. (Natalia and I tried to tell them otherwise...) But I truly believe camp cracked something open in you. I think it helped you find your confidence. In the last few months, I have seen you break out of your shell more and more, initiate conversation with adults and older kids, try new things willingly. For the record, it's okay to be shy. I'm shy sometimes, so is Dad. And you may still have moments where you feel shy. But what I am seeing is that you believe in yourself more and are more comfortable. It makes my mom heart very happy. I also see that you are learning empathy and compassion. When other kids are sad, you comfort them. When I'm sad, you comfort me. (It's never your job to do that and I never expect you to do so). It's a really beautiful thing to watch, and I feel lucky every day that I get to be your mom. You are just becoming much more aware of the world. You are curious and ask so many great questions.
In just a few days, you are going to have a surgery to remove your tonsils and adenoids and to have tubes put in your ears. I think everyone is feeling a little nervous. But I'm hoping this leads to healthier, happier times. You sometimes have a tricky time breathing, especially at night, and we want you to feel comfortable!
So, even though 2025 was a tough year, you were a resilient, excited, curious 3 year old boy who amazed me every single day. Thank you for all the joy you bring into my life, from your smile to your stories. Thank you for asking me questions and trusting me enough to talk to me about your feelings.
I am wishing you the happiest of birthdays, and that your 4th year is just as beautiful and fruitful as the last. I'd say "I can't wait" to see what the next year brings, but time is actually moving a little TOO fast for me right now, so I think I can wait. I think I can embrace each day, and see that every day brings a little something new. I think I can cherish each snuggle, each piece of artwork, each giggle. Let's do this one day at a time, together. Just as we've always done and just as I will always be willing to do.
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