The Princess of Princewick

About 16 years ago, in the dying coal town of Princewick, WV, a little girl was born.  She came into the world in the middle of the night, about 12:08 AM.  Her older siblings had gone to bed, but were awakened by her cries.  It was a momentous night in the Lowe household when Charis was born.
Our next youngest child was seven and a half years old, so it was like we were starting over.  Charis grew to be a determined child, teaching herself to tie her shoes at 3 and to read at 4 (using a computer).  That same determination has made her a top notch, prolific knitter and a self-taught pianist.
Twice the Lowe family has made major moves right before Charis' birthday.  The first time was when she turned two.  We moved from Beckley to Charleston to be with her Dad, who was spending most of his time in Charleston with his job at Union Mission Ministries.  Her little sister, Zoe, had been born in August, we  moved in mid- October and her birthday was Nov. 8.  We celebrated among the boxes as I was so tired we didn't get totally unpacked for six months.
We moved a couple of times between then and now, but the second major move was also in October, here to Hampton.  She celebrated early with her best friends in Charleston, and then again here, with friends and family.  Her new Hampton friends came in the afternoon of her birthday to take her out for a little while.  They brought balloons and a party hat, and I, forgetful Mom that I am, did not take pictures of them together.  (My new mantra is "get the camera".  I'm hoping if I say it enough, I will actually remember to use it when I should.) It was Alex and Mikayla and Emily who came, and I know they brightened Charis' day.
Our family tradition is that the birthday celebrant chooses the meal, so we had spinach lasagna and chocolate cheesecake in place of cake and ice cream.  Grampa and Gail got to come, a first for Charis, since we have always lived so far away from them.  Mark bought her her first dozen roses, another "Sweet Sixteen" tradition at our house.  Honestly, it had been so long since we had celebrated a 16th birthday, we almost forgot the roses.


 It is hard to believe that our "Joy Girl" is 16.  Charis, we love you, and we can't imagine life without you.