Father's Day

Dear Cadee,

Today is Father's Day. I know you are probably spending this day with another man you might call Daddy, and who does all sorts of fun, daddy things with you. I just wanted to let you know, that your real Daddy is missing you very much today. You are so special to him, and to all of us. Your real Daddy has not forgotten about you, and loves you very, very much. He would be spending lots of time with you if your mommy would allow it. We are all so happy that you were a part of our lives for a few short years, and we look forward to a time when we can all be together again. We all hope that you are well, and happy. We wonder how big you are now? What is your favorite subject in school?  What is your favorite game? What is your teacher's name?
Keep smiling Cadee-bug.

Love you forever,
Nan and Daddy xxx

Dear Cadee,

Wow O wow! 6 years old already... you are growing up so fast! Happy, happy birthday! I hope your day was filled with all sorts of fun things. I wonder if you might even be having a party?  I would so love to see you. I bet you are quite the young lady now. Do you still have your beautiful long curly hair?  I bet Mommy gave you an extra pretty hairstyle today... you must look so beautiful!
Everyone from your Daddy's side of your family (including your Daddy), send you their love. We can't wait until the day when we can all see you again.

Love you forever,
Nan xxx

School Daze

Dear Cadee,

How time flies! Today must be your first day of school. I imagine you are finally starting kindergarten today. It's been an extra long wait for you, with the teachers being on strike. I bet you have special new clothes to wear for such a big event. I wish I could see you and give you special hugs to go with your first day. I hope you have the nicest teacher in the world. I remember when your daddy started kindergarten... he had such a fun time. His teacher even taught him to make stone soup. Have you ever made that before? I would love to be able to hear about all your adventures in this next chapter of your life. Have fun my precious little Cadee-bug.

Love you forever,
Nan xxx

Happy Birthday

Dear Cadee,

Wow, what a big day it is for you today! You are turning 5 years old! Wow, wow, WOW! It seems like just yesterday that we went to see you in the hospital when you were born, and held you for the first time. Then again, so much has happened since then, it seems like a lifetime ago. I'll bet you must be so big by now. And I imagine that your hair is long and curly?

Oh, how I wish I could see you again, and hold you, cuddle you, tickle you, and make you laugh. I love it when you laugh. Your laugh is just like your daddy's - loud and deep, coming from down beneath your belly. Your face lights up so much, it brightens even the darkest of days.

I remember when you daddy turned 5. He had a big party with all his friends from kindergarten. He got lots of presents, and everyone played lots of games. Your daddy won the game of Pin The Tail On The Donkey - do you know that game? I think maybe your daddy could see under his blindfold, because he knew exactly where to go to pin the tail.

I wonder if you're having a party, and what sort of games you like to play? I wonder what your favorite present is? And what sort of cake did Mommy make you? Or did Grandma make your cake? I hope Cadee, that you have a really, really fun day today. Daddy, Grumpy, Uncle Alex, Aunty Dez and I, are sending you all sorts of warm wishes and hugs.

Love you forever,
Nan xoxo

Merry Christmas

Dear Cadee,

It's so hard to believe Christmas is almost here. I wonder what you asked Santa for this year? What are you hoping to find under your Christmas tree? I wish I could be there to help share your fun, and see your face light up as you open your presents. I wish that I could see you to give you your presents. This year, instead of adding to the pile of unopened presents that I have accumulated for you over the years, I bought presents for a family  who are unable to afford Christmas, in your name. There are 2 little boys in this family, aged 8 and 14 months. I added some goodies to their food hamper, and bought some pj's and a toy for each of the boys. Thank you Cadee, for helping to make their Christmas special.

Here you are on your very first Christmas with Daddy - your Uncle Alex sent you that cute little outfit all the way from Australia!

Merry Christmas Cadee!!

Love you forever, 

Nan xxx

You're Spooktacular

Dear Cadee,

Today is Halloween. I'm watching all the children in the school yard outside my window, and they are all dressed up like ghosts and goblins and monsters and princesses too. I am wondering what costume you're wearing today. Are you being scary? Or are you being pretty and magical? If that's the case, you don't need to dress up at all, because you're already both of those. What are your favorite treats? Do you go trick or treating to the neighbors? Or are there fun activities for you at your preschool? When your daddy was a little boy, he loved Grumpy taking him door to door, and he would come home with a pillow case filled with all sorts of goodies. As soon as Daddy went to bed, Grumpy would eat lots of those treats, but Daddy didn't notice, because there were always lots more.

Here's your Daddy taking you trick or treating on your very first Halloween - he ate your treats because you were too little to eat them yourself.

Love you forever,

Nan xx

Who Are We?

Dear Cadee,

Today we received wonderful news from our lawyer. The court appointed child psychologist is going to recommend to the courts that we be allowed to visit you without supervision. You might be wondering who we are? Well, I am Nanou, (your other grandma). I was married to Grumpy (your other grandpa). And I am your daddy's mommy. Uncle Alex and Aunty Dez are your daddy's brother and sister. It is very sad that we have not been allowed to see you, but we cherish all of the brief moments we have been able to spend with you. In future letters, I will try to explain to you as best I can, why we cannot be a part of your life. It is difficult to understand, even for us. But just know, we love you very, very much.

here is a photo of our last visit together on August 11, 2013 - don't we all look happy? 

It is our hope, that one day, when you're old enough, you'll be able to find these letters when you search for your name, and know that we have not simply forgotten about you, and that we love you very much. We have been prevented from seeing you by your mommy, and have tried very hard through the court system to try and make this right for you. The courts have said we may see you, but your mommy has still not allowed this. Perhaps one day, your mommy will change her mind. Until then, I will write you letters to let you know I'm thinking of you.

Love you forever - 

Nan xx