Family · Miriam

Day One

Sweet Anna Lanna!

I found the journal entry I wrote the day you were born! I thought you’d like to read some of it:

Dear Diary,

Mama went into labor this morning and had Anna Gale Eldridge! We went to bed at two because Papa was playing video games and we all hung out with him for a while. Then at 5:42, Mama opened the door and said, ‘Children, I want you to get up right now. I’m in labor.’ I only got like 3 hours and 40 min. of sleep!

Naturally, I was thrilled. Papa drove us all to the Langleys’. Then, off to the Birth Center with Mama. Mama gave birth in four hours! Thank you, Lord!

Anna is my first sister. Samuel is now a big brother! She has blue-gray eyes, lots and lots of dark, curly hair, and a defined face; her dimples and curves are so cute. She is such a precious treasure! I am glad she came so soon. Oh, what a day!

That made me laugh. Especially the video games part. Some things never change. 🤣

Anna, I will never be able to tell you how happy I was to have a little sister of my own for the first time. I had a strong feeling when you were born that we would be a lot alike and you would become a soulmate. And I was right. More times than I could begin to count, I’ve told people my favorite things about you when they ask about my life and my family. I tell them about your old soul and how much you take care of me, and how I couldn’t have gotten through nursing school without you. Every single day, I am so thankful to have you in my life as one of my most cherished friends and someone I lean so heavily on to help me get through the days and see the best parts of life. You help me with everything, from talking through major life decisions to helping me pick outfits or decide on hairstyles. This little paragraph can’t do justice to what you mean to me, but know that you have been one of my top favorite people from day one. I resolved that day to watch over you and take very good care of you, and I always will. Love you so much.