Today is my daughter Leah’s 15th birthday. She has grown and matured so much during the past year that it just takes my breath away. I’ve been documenting the day of her birth in all sorts of ways since I started this blog. I rambled on and on about her 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th birthdays, but this year the only thing I feel like expressing, the only thing that seems to matter is my love for my first-born child. I feel so full of love for Leah that I am *almost* rendered speechless. She is an amazing person, so full of kindness, authenticity, talent, and creativity. Her love and support during this year of heartbreak, challenge, and joy has been truly life-saving.
The other day I was going through our ancient desktop computer looking for some old files. When my laptop was stolen last year, I lost many photos and videos, including most of the digital footage I had of Leah. As I searched our older computer, my mouth dropped open when I came across two short videos of my daughter that were taken with the first digital camera I ever owned. Tears came to my eyes as I watched the little girl she once was. I feel honored to be able to watch Leah blossom into the woman she is becoming but sometimes it’s hard to let go of that little girl.
To mark her 15th birthday, we all went to Color Me Mine and hand-painted mugs for Leah which are now being fired in a kiln. I hadn't been in that place since we did the same thing four years ago today when Leah turned 11. Our group today included me, Kendall, Charlie, Leah's mom Sophie, Sophie's parents Claude and Martine who are visiting from Paris, Kendall's mom Betsy, Leah, and three of her close friends. A real blended mishpocha! Charlie even dipped his feet in paint and left his footprints on a mug for his big sister. Hard to believe that when my son turns 15, Leah will be 30 years old! Egads!
I love you, Leah, and wish you the best that life has to offer as you continue to follow your passion and dance to your own beat. I am so happy to be your dad.
Aww! Happy Birthday to your daughter! My youngest sister is 15 and I'm 30. It's an interesting age gap. Here's to another great year for your beautiful daughter.
Posted by: MadWoman | December 29, 2009 at 12:15 AM
That was really sweet, and so thoughtful.
Posted by: Gordon | December 29, 2009 at 12:37 AM
Wonderful video. Happy Birthday, Leah!
Posted by: Pam G | December 29, 2009 at 04:21 AM
K"H, poo, poo. Once I hired a photographer for the twins' (now over 30) bar mitzvah, and he couldn't believe how much we put into our kids. She's probably dying of embarrassment, but we hope not :)
Happy Birthday, Leah!
Posted by: therapydoc | December 29, 2009 at 04:51 AM
The photos of the Miller and Tweedy kids are permanent evidence of the enormous love these fortunate children are showered with. How lucky to grow up with parents who are head-over-heels about their kids. Of course, I'm in that category, too, and am happy to be part of that blubbering group.
xoxo
Fake Grandma
Posted by: Elaine Soloway | December 29, 2009 at 05:23 AM
Oh, Danny. I'm crying. Such a video.
Posted by: Frances | December 29, 2009 at 06:15 AM
Happy birthday, Leah! You're lucky to have a dad who loves you so much.
Julie
Posted by: Julie R. | December 29, 2009 at 06:22 AM
Beautiful video, Danny. Beautiful memories.
Beautiful daughter, pu, pu, pu.
Leah has such poise and emanates strength and beauty of character (her own, not the one she's playing at the time!)inside and out. A very special young woman.
Happy Birthday, Leah.
Posted by: Pearl | December 29, 2009 at 07:02 AM
What a cool outing - painting mugs for the birthday girl! Mazal tov.
Posted by: Sue Katz | December 29, 2009 at 07:21 AM
Happy Birthday, Leah!
And fantastic video, Danny. Such a delight to watch Leah grow, showered with love and attention.
For the longest time now I've been convinced that observing love in action can heal wounds that one did not even know one had. I can say that no such video fan letter to me from my father exists, thus I am healed by yours to Leah. For that I thank you both.
Amitiés,
Posted by: The Pliers | December 29, 2009 at 07:28 AM
Great archival work! She has your mom's magnetism (and hair), but is her own person, that's for sure. And Charlie's looking great. Happy New Year to you all.
Posted by: david | December 29, 2009 at 07:54 AM
Happy Birthday, Leah!
Posted by: Mike Cohen | December 29, 2009 at 07:55 AM
Happy Birthday Leah! I loved the video.
Posted by: Laurie | December 29, 2009 at 09:42 AM
Happy Birthday to Leah--your tribute and birthday wishes made me teary. Your words remind me of my own dad's kindness and pride in his offspring. Every Christmas he says, "I already have the best present I could ever want because I have your mother and your sister and you" and messes up my hair. I'm 37.
Posted by: Decca Stone | December 29, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Awwww. That was an amazing video tribute to your daughter. I bet she loved it. Your children have your eyes...Lucky them.
Posted by: churlita | December 29, 2009 at 10:39 AM
SO sweet! Happy Birthday, Leah!!
Posted by: Danusia | December 29, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Happy Birthday to your redheaded girl! We have lots of redheads in our family :) And I have a 15 year old boy. :)
Posted by: maggie may | December 29, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Feliz Quinceañeros Leah!!
Posted by: amba | December 29, 2009 at 02:35 PM
HBD apples dont fall to far from the tree
Posted by: jeff ( not Spencer's dad) | December 29, 2009 at 03:25 PM
and i bet a excellent babysitter
Posted by: jeff ( not Spencer's dad) | December 29, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Oh, Danny! You and Leah always make me cry in the best way.
Happy birthday, Leah; what a glorious young lady you are!
Posted by: the communicatrix | December 29, 2009 at 06:40 PM
Soon she'll be under the huppa.
Posted by: Helena | December 29, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Happy 15th birthday Leah!! :) What a lucky girl you are - you are so very loved by all your family!
Posted by: Elise | December 29, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Fantastic Happy Birthday Leah. Hope your b-day was great
Posted by: Patsy | December 30, 2009 at 01:41 PM
Happy Birthday Leah and many, many more to share with your wonderful family. The love you all have for each other comes pouring out. You are the luckiest girl in the world to have a dad like yours .... he is very special as are you.
Love,
Bubbe Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn Molnar | December 30, 2009 at 02:16 PM
I am so jealous of Leah's hair! I dye my hair her color, it's beautiful!
She must be really patient and awesome to let you post pictures and videos of her on here, or at least not make faces. Happy Birthday, Leah!
Posted by: Windsor Grace | December 31, 2009 at 01:37 AM
A Belated Very Happy Birthday to Leah....15 years old! WOW! Lovely Video, proud Papa....
Wishing you all the most WONDERFUL New Year. May 2010 be everything you hope and wish for, and then some. GOOD HEALTH, MUCH HAPPINESS, AND AN ABUNDANCA OF PROSPERITY....!
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | December 31, 2009 at 12:26 PM
what a great video - they really do grow up in the blink of an eye, don't they? Wishing all of you lots of good health and happiness in the coming year.
Posted by: Sally | January 01, 2010 at 04:20 AM
Ohhh, what a beautiful video! Happy Birthday Leah!! And I wish you a wonderful new year Danny, to you and all your lovely family!
Posted by: Cristina | January 01, 2010 at 05:00 AM
AWESOME! I know I'm late [as usual], but please wish the lovely Leah a belated happy birthday from a gal who LOVES her hair in Utah.
What a gift you have in Leah, and what a gift she has in you. So neat!
Posted by: Chris | January 02, 2010 at 07:57 AM
Enjoyed watching the video and seeing your girl growing up. Wishing her all the best today and always.
I remember 15 vividly. It was pivotal for me. It was The Year. When Five for Fighting sings the song 100 Years, I'm completely into the refrain. And I'm probably the only middle-aged person who relates to Taylor Swift's single "Fifteen."
Posted by: V-Grrrl @ Compost Studios | January 03, 2010 at 09:41 AM
Your Daughter's Fifteenth Year
By D.K.Milgrim-Heath
Your daughter's fifteenth year-
Is mentioned in this poem here!
When my Sabrina was fifteen as well-
She got her poem by me that was swell.
Fifteen is that year you're nearly grown-
Not old enough being seriously on your own.
Leah so beautiful by your flaming red hair-
Proud your parents are of you-you're aware!
If Daddy wasn't proud he'd never write-
About you forever really a delight!
My two daughters already were fifteen-
Being a special age being that teen!
Enjoy this year becoming older and wise- You'll be that adult soon as time does fly!
Posted by: D.K.Milgrim-Heath | January 06, 2010 at 08:12 PM