In the past year or so, I have watched several close friends become new parents.  I get excited every single time.  Excited about the miracle of new life.  Excited to see them experience love and life in a whole new way.  Dan and Kelli welcomed beautiful Mara Lynn on April 18 (lots of exclamation points needed!!) and about a week later we met up for a few photos to help them remember these early days.  It was evident how quickly they fell in love with this little one and Kelli mentioned how everyday things take on new meaning…especially songs like this:

When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love

When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love

I know you haven’t made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I’ve known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong

I’d go hungry i’d go black and blue
I’d go crawling down the avenue
No there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do
To make you feel my love

The storms are raging on the rolling sea
And on the highway of regret
Though winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain’t seen nothing like me yet
I could make you happy make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn’t do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
To make you feel my love

Congratulations, dear friends on the birth of your beautiful, beautiful baby girl!