First Born

I was 14 when I decided I'd have a girl named Aya. It was the name of a red headed heroin in a book I loved. August 22 was the date where everything changed. Aya was born and I knew that I'll do anything to make her safe and happy. We would hide under the blanket at a cold winter night or at a warm summer evening and I'd repeat our mantra "Always-always-always, no matter where you are or what you'll do, always-always-always you'll be my daughter , I'll be your mom and I will love you more than anything else in life". I did this every single night until Aya turned 4 or 5. Aya remembered it as she grew and she would ask me to say it from time to time. Now she is 21 years old and just before flying for a 6 months traveling adventure, I hugged her tight saying it one more time as if it was a prayer to protect her at her journey. Tears in my eyes, I wished I could stay with her under the blanket just a little longer. My child is a grown woman.