Two Years of Magic: Happy Birthday, Mileena
A love letter to my wild, wonderful granddaughter
"She was born with a crown,
a drum, and a wild soul."Today, my first granddaughter turns two.
Two years since I first held her in my arms and felt time stand still.
Two years of watching a tiny soul blossom into a whirlwind of magic.
My wild woman.
My mini me.
My sweet, caring, spirited little goddess—Mileena.
I had dreamed for so many years of having a little girl to play with, to love—and now I have two. She was the first. The one who made me Oma. And I can't begin to explain just how much joy it has been to experience life through her eyes. Everything feels new again—every butterfly, every song, every silly moment. She has opened a doorway to magic I had forgotten was still mine to walk through.
She is the spark in my day and the echo of my own younger self. Fiercely loving, yet completely unafraid to speak her mind. A natural-born leader wrapped in giggles and wild energy. One moment she’s snuggled into my chest, the next she’s commanding the room with that determined little voice—and I adore every single ounce of her.
She’s rarely seen without a head full of tousled, wind-swept hair—always a beautiful, chaotic halo around her face, as if even her hair refuses to be tamed. It suits her perfectly.
And that laugh—oh, that laugh! It’s contagious. It bubbles up from deep within her belly, lighting up everything around her like sunshine breaking through clouds.
Watching her grow has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. She dances barefoot in the grass like a forest fairy, sings to the moon, and talks to the trees as if they are old friends. She reminds me daily of the sacred bond we share with nature, with the wild, with the feminine. She is already claiming her space in this world, unfiltered and untamed.
She’s our little princess—constantly twirling in her Cinderella gowns, dancing with us or all by herself in joyous, dizzy circles. Her tiny voice carries songs whose words we can’t quite make out, but they’re sweet all the same. And when she picks up her drums, she looks like a little natural—like rhythm lives in her bones.
Nature is her playground and teacher. Birds delight her, and lately, the three baby deer who visit have stolen her heart. She tosses them carrots and corn, takes bites out of their snacks, and even reclaims them from the dirt for another nibble. The innocence and hilarity of it all—it’s just so Mileena. And her obsession with rocks? Unmatched. We’ve spent hours stacking them, carrying them from one spot to another as if each one holds a secret story only she can hear.
She’s a water baby through and through—playing in the pool has been her joy this summer. And the park? It’s her kingdom. She believes everyone there is her friend and wants to play with every single soul who crosses her path. Her imagination knows no bounds, and her zest for adventure keeps us all on our toes.
She’s also become a bit of a boo-boo expert lately—every bump or scrape, real or imagined, must be kissed. And not just hers; she lovingly gives kisses to ours too, as if she holds the power to heal in her little hands.
She’s been diving into painting lately, and I have a feeling there’s an artist blooming in her—just like her Oma. And at her music class? She’s a star. Making friends comes naturally, but she also loves being the center of attention, charming her teacher and shining in her own bright spotlight.
It’s her way or no way—that much is clear. But that fierce spirit, that bold sense of self, that ability to know exactly what she wants—it’s something to celebrate, not tame.
Her days are filled with tiny adventures: pointing out airplanes overhead, chasing bubbles with wide-eyed joy, climbing and balancing on the garden wall like it’s a tightrope to another realm. Her coordination is remarkable, her mind always turning. She loves the colors blue and green and watches butterflies and bees in the garden we planted together. She finally stopped eating the flowers and now scrunches up her nose in the cutest way when she smells them.
She’s rough and tumble, yet so incredibly gentle. One minute a wild whirlwind, the next curled up for a princess movie snuggle. She loves to make us laugh—her monkey noises are award-worthy—and she adores her cat Mojo (though she hasn’t quite learned the meaning of “gentle” yet). Her giggles when the dogs leap into the pool are pure sunshine. She tries to love her baby sister but isn’t quite sure how to share attention yet, and that’s okay—she’s still learning.
And oh, how I long to hear her say “Oma.” She says so many new words now, but I swear she’s holding that one hostage just to keep teasing me.
I see her daddy in her every single day—his eyes, his grin, that same stubborn spark. But I also see the feisty little girl I once was… the fire, the freedom, the wildness.
And I am in awe.
Happy 2nd birthday, Mileena.
You are light. You are laughter. You are a wild and wondrous force of nature.
And I love you more than words could ever say.
Brightest Blessings,
“You are my wish come true, my dream
made real, my greatest adventure.”