Topsail Beach, North Carolina

I cannot believe Taylor turned sixteen on August 25th and now has her driver’s license. Michael and I have been together for 11 years, 10 of them married, so she was five when we started dating! Taylor’s sweet sixteen birthday photos are some of my favorite photos! And because so many others said it so well I’m using their messages to her for my blog!

From her Aunt Whitney:

“Happy 16th birthday to the baby girl who made me an aunt!!!!! I love you so very much! Thanks for always being so helpful and loving to my babies. You’re a treasure!”

From her Mom:

“Happy Birthday Taylor! 16 years with us! Such an unexpected surprise for our family but something we never ever would change. Taylor has brought us so much joy! She has such a servant’s heart, loves her brother dearly even if he annoys her! Enjoys the piano and guitar and loves to sing with her dad. She has some great friends, and of course, loves her job! Baby girl you have meant the world to your dad and I! Your Aunts, Uncles, and grandparents absolutely love you.”

From Carolyn Blankenship:

“S.I.X.T.E.E.N!!! This day snuck up way too quickly! Happy SWEET SIXTEEN, Taylor! This girl, right here…..I don’t have enough time in the day to write how much she means to me. She has always been such an amazing kid, and has now become an amazing woman! No boy will ever be good enough for you, Taylor! I love you so much!!! Happy Birthday!”

And Taylor’s Aunt Stephanie says it best:

“Today this beauty turns 16! My brain is exploding a bit that this much time has passed since she made me an aunt. Taylor loves Jesus, art, and music. She is so kind. She is willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of others and honestly, she does more for her aunts than she knows bc every time we are together she (and Pops) handle all 11 of her cousins (and brother) flawlessly.

Baby girl, I hope you know that your worth doesn’t come from all you do for others (and you do so much!) but it comes from God and the fact that Jesus gave His life for you. I am so grateful that God gave us you!

Keep pursuing Jesus and His plan for your life. There are so many good things and wonderful surprises along the way. You’ve also had a front-row seat in seeing some of the challenges life can bring and how to navigate them with wisdom, courage, and grace (thanks to your mom and dad). You are the very best of ALL of us…as you were the first baby we all go to mother! Thanks for paving the way for the other 11. LOVE YOU UNENDINGLY!!

From me:

I have to say all of this is TRUTH! I have loved watching you grow up even though it is astonishing to me how quickly this happened. In my mind, you will always be the little girl who coaxed me in the cubbyhole to play with you and had me manufacture so many ailments so you could practice being a doctor! And I have loved teaching you about horses and I love having that special activity for just the two of us! I’m so proud to watch you catch your pony, get her tacked up, and ride with confidence!

So to the little girl who made me a grandmother, and decided my grandmother name would be Meme, I love you to pieces! I couldn’t be any prouder of the young woman you have become!

Enjoy Taylor’s Sweet Sixteen Birthday Photos!

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