The morning sun streamed through the windows as Emma woke up to her fifth birthday. "I'm FIVE today!" she announced, bouncing on her bed. The house was already filling with balloons and the sweet scent of vanilla cake from the kitchen.

Friends arrived with presents and laughter. But the true magic was in the small moments: Emma's face when she saw the princess cake, the way Grandma helped her light the candles, and the sheer joy of being surrounded by love.

"Make a wish!" we all sang. Emma closed her eyes tight, her little hands pressed together. Later, she whispered to me, "I wished that we could have birthday parties forever." I kissed her forehead and promised, "We'll remember this forever, my love."