Do you believe in mermaids? There was a time in my life that I didn’t, but now I am a believer. Actually, I’m living in a house and parenting a blooming mermaid. Of course, I’m talking about our Hannah Boo.

Oh, what a joy it’s been to watch this girl grow! For six years she’s followed her big sister around and did everything and “liked” everything that Makaylan did/liked. If I asked her a question of preference, she would first turn to KK to see what she was going to do. If I made her answer first, she would inevitably “change” her mind the second she knew Makaylan’s answer. However, slowly that conformity began to change…and, at first, I didn’t realize it was happening. 

This past school year, it was difficult for me to have both of my girls away from me. For some reason, it felt like my mothering days were quickly coming to an end. (YES…I know they are only 7 and 6, but I do have a flair for the “dramatic” when it comes to my kiddos growing up. 🙂 ) But, in retrospect, it was one of the best decisions we made for them. You see, it allowed Hannah to begin to discover who she is apart from Makaylan. She began to realize that she really doesn’t like cheese as much as KK. She really does enjoy being a planner/leader, but she doesn’t like/prefer to draw and do all those “crafty” things that KK enjoys. (I think Hannah enjoyed more of the approval we gave to their artwork than the actual process of creating.) But, this summer, one thing has stood above the rest…this girl LOVES to swim!

I remember her first swimming lesson, so this one has come as a bit of a shock. Mrs. Joanne, who is now her principal, was Hannah’s first swim teacher. She literally cried and screamed throughout the entire hour. (Joanne, remember THAT fun day?! HA!) Any time Joanne asked her to blow bubbles, she would go into hysterics. You would literally think that Joanne was trying to drown her. 🙂 However, we made it through that first year, and thus began her love/hate relationship with the water/swimming. She wanted to like it, but KK wasn’t all that interested. So, she decided she wasn’t “interested.” This lasted for a couple of summers, and then last year I began to see the slightest change. We ended up getting a small pool but one big enough that it needed a small filter. Hannah oscillated between being super pumped to get in it to acting like it was no big deal. Once again, it was all dictated on how Makaylan reacted. And, then, this summer came.

Knowing we would be in Maine for a month and knowing I needed a place to workout, we decided to get a monthly membership at the local university’s recreational center. Chris takes the kiddos swimming while I go exercise. One of the first days we were here, Chris met one of the lifeguards who also teaches swimming lessons on the side. Hannah jumped at the chance to take it. So, he signed them up with Ace (the swim instructor). 

Hannah has completely bloomed in her love for the water and in her “skill” as a swimmer. Except for knowing how to stay afloat, I have zero knowledge of “real” swimming. I knew Hannah enjoyed the water, but I was completely delighted to have Ace tell me that she picks it up faster than most girls her age, AND she has the strength and stamina to actually be a good swimmer. There are days where KK doesn’t act too delighted to go to the pool. But, Hannah lives for the moment Chris says, “Everyone go get your swimming suits on!” 

It is such a blessing for me to see Hannah begin to become her own person. It’s also fun for me to help cultivate something in her that will possibly be “her thing.” Yes, I realize we have a long way to go in our parenting journey with our sweet Hannah Boo, and I know she will try, stop, and retry activities along the way. But, for now, I am completely thrilled she is branching out on her own. Daily, I pray my girls will grow up to be best friends, but I also want them to be their own person. Up until now Makaylan has dominated Hannah’s decision making, and I’m excited to see them enjoying different things. 

God has made each of our children different and for their own unique purpose, and I can’t wait to see what God does with our little Mermaid!

She’s suited up and ready to go!