Ever since Annabel was very little, pictures of Madeline have caught her eye.
At first, it started with her staring at photos with her serious baby gaze. As she grew older, she would smile at her sister, then laugh. Laughing moved to pointing with excited babbling, and then she started saying “bay-bay” when we passed a picture of Maddie.
When Annie notices her sister’s pictures, we would take a moment to explain, “this is Maddie. This is your sister. She loves you very much.”
Annie knows how to push the button on my iPhone that make the screen saver light up. The picture is of Maddie. Annie has started kissing my phone.
She notices everything these days. If I’m wearing earrings, she points at them. She’ll tug on my necklace, reach for my glasses. Not long ago she discovered my tattoo. She pokes it with her chubby fingers, as if checking to see if it will rub off. She’ll look up at me and exclaim in baby talk.
I say, “this is a mark I have that represents your sister Maddie. She loves you very much.”
Yesterday she grabbed my wrist and flipped it over. She poked at my tattoo and said, “Mah-dah.” Then she bent over and kissed my wrist.
Maddie, this is Annie. She loves you very much.
Jennifer says:
*crying*
Casey says:
Same here. Just, wow.
Melanie says:
me too
Megan says:
me, too.
Colleen says:
Me four. What a sweet girl you have. She will learn so much about Maddie and be so proud to have her as her big sister.
Alexandra :) says:
So sad and so sweet at the same time!
Rebecca says:
yep.
Claudia says:
me too :’)
Denise Jones says:
Same here – bittersweet…::sigh::
A says:
That is too precious.
Hugs to all of you today and always.
Tori says:
So very precious, thank you for sharing
Kim says:
Angels. : )
kellye says:
beautiful.
xoxo
Ellen Fitz says:
Smiling through the tears. Thank you for sharing.
Elle says:
This is so touching and brought tears to my eyes. I’m so glad Annie is starting to understand the presence of her older sister.
Kristine says:
I have goose bumps imagining her saying that. How beautiful.
Hend says:
Just lovely.
Reenie says:
So beautiful…
karen says:
damn, this air conditioning makes your eyes so dry that they get a little weepy…
Jana from Germany says:
Your girls are so beautiful and you raise them both with so much love. Thank you for helping me seeing the beauty and love in the world through the story of your life.
Kirsten says:
The bond that sisters share is a powerful one. They will never meet, but Annie will always love her sister, and I know Maddie will always love her too.
Katie says:
I loved this.
Missy says:
That is so awesome.
Mijke says:
So she does…!
Jenny C says:
You just made me cry. You have beautiful girls. You should be very proud.
Chantelle @ photo mommy says:
Tears.
edenland says:
Heather, this post is just so beautiful. It caught me offguard, leaving me crying the big crys.
I know that you miss her every day. I read your posts on all different topics … but your love and ache for her is always a constant.
Love ya mate xoxox
Lindsey says:
A priceless story. A breath-taking post.
Jenn says:
**Crying** – SO NOT FAIR- MADDIE SHOULD BE HERE!! Of course she’ll grow up loving Maddie b/c she will see and feel how much you & Mike love Maddie. She will see how you look at her pictures, your expression while you watch her videos and the love in your eyes when you talk about her sister.
Annie will grow up knowing Maddie thru you & loving her with you. I know you wish it were different….we all do. OMG – you have NO idea how much I wish that for you. For what it’s worth…I think you’re doing such a great job introducing your 2 daughters and nuturing the love one little girl will always have for her big sister!!
Kim ~ CraftyMamaof4 says:
goosebumps..tears…
kbreints says:
Oh yes, tears over here too. Such a sweet post.
Kim says:
There really is something so special about when our living babies show their love for their siblings who have gone.
I love that my kids all want to have a picture of Emma in their rooms. I love that Libby carries around a picture of Emma and says, “That’s my Emma”.
And just like that, they know their sister and they love her and they remember her like only a sibling can.
Love you.
AmazingGreis says:
OMG, that is amazing! And awesome! And so sweet!!
I just got chills and all kinds of teary and I’m at work!!!
XOXO
Allison Zapata says:
Beautiful. xoxo
vickie says:
oh – so so sweet. how dare you make me tear up so early in the morning!
Brittany says:
Tears here too. What a special moment. Thanks for sharing.
Jamie says:
Aren’t sisters amazing? Love that transcends everything.
Desera says:
So, so sweet! Thank you for sharing! Your girls are beautiful!
Rian says:
This post brought tears to my eyes. Annie is such a sweetie. She really does love her big sister so much.
Lisa says:
That is just so sweet it made me cry. What a beautiful moment.
Kathy says:
Simply beautiful
Terra says:
No fair making me cry first thing in the morning…
Beautiful, Heather.
Lisa says:
Beautiful.
Shirley L says:
Bring on the waterworks! How sweet it must have been to hear Annie speak Maddie’s name.
Trisha Vargas says:
Precious! Smiling through tears.
((((HUGS)))) from Florida
gq says:
this is really beautiful! thank you for sharing with us!
Kayla N. says:
Thank you so much for sharing. It really did bring tears to my eyes, it’s really beautiful
Momma Uncensored says:
beautiful sisters.
Madeleine says:
Heart tug….teary in a sweet way.
michelle in MO says:
I don’t have any siblings but I can say that I truly believe that bond obviously transcends space and time.
bessie.viola says:
Oh. This gave me chills. So much love between your two girls, Heather.
Lisa_in_WI says:
What a wonderful story.
Sarah the Bear says:
Oh man…break my heart.
I can’t even imagine what that would have felt like.
Tiffany says:
Tears. How incredible. Made my heart smile.
FyshWyfe says:
I read everyday, and sometimes you catch me off guard, leaving me crying in my car. Love to all of you.
Liz says:
So many things to say, but the one that comes most persistently to mind is that you are a good, good mom.
lauren says:
you have amazing daughters
LisaJ says:
Oh, Heather.
I am crying here…what a beautiful post.
You are an amazing parent, Heather. And you have amazing daughters.
Nikki says:
Summer says:
So beautiful. It made me cry. I only wish she was kissing Maddies cheek instead. I still have her picture on my blog and I always will.
Hugs.
Jamie Elizabeth says:
Oh boy. Way to make me cry at work!
Kristi says:
Wow! That made me cry. How beautiful, touching and sweet!
JoAnn says:
I’m with all of the other teary eyed readers, here. Such a touching post and image. Love to you all.
Kerri. says:
This is simply gorgeous.
Amanda says:
I love this. It’s so great that you make a point to share Maddie with Annie every day. I know it had to make your heart melt when you heard Annie say Maddie’s name for the first time.
Elizabeth says:
I have tears in my eyes right now.
Alyssa says:
That is made of win. Plus a few tears on my end… but all in all, one of the most wonderful things I have ever read.
Heather says:
So sweet.
sarah says:
beautiful
Jen says:
UGH!!! LOVE that!!! Sweetest thing ever!!
Megan says:
I got teary-eyed. I love this. Thank you for sharing.
Rebecca says:
Very amazingly sweet.
Kristen says:
*crying* so precious!! Love them both so so much!
Alison says:
This went straight to my heart. I’m a little teary now. Sweet Annie, sweet Maddie.
xoxo
Rita from the Chicago says:
Oh my goodness, that is beautiful. I do hope that made you smile, cause it makes me smile. Annie will know her sister, that is for sure.
Kelly says:
What a beautiful little sweet baby kiss that was.
Your girls are precious.
Marnie :) says:
And now I’m crying.
Anna says:
I am reading this on my lunch break, and I couldn’t even swallow because my throat closed up with emotion. So much joy!
Anna says:
By the way, I have a friend whose first daughter died of cancer a week before her second was born, and the younger girl feels an incredible bond to her big sister. Izzy is four now, and she often talks about her big sister Catie who is watching over her. Obviously your girls are the same way. =)
Penbleth says:
Truly moving and beautiful. Love never dies.
steve shilstone says:
This 67 year old dude who coached baseball for 25 years just teared up.
Stacey says:
Precious, beautiful, bittersweet. Thanks for this.
Nanette says:
Not that we didn’t already know this, but you make some sweet girls.
Laney says:
So beautiful, Heather.
It’s amazing and wonderful that your sweet girls already share a connection.
Liz says:
*tears* Sending you hugs, of course.
Pattie says:
And just like that I’m crying in my cube at work. What a beautiful post.
Ashise says:
thank you for sharing: LOVE
Deb H says:
A – – M – – A – – Z – – I – – N – – G!!!!!!
LOVE IT!!!!!
Jessica V. says:
Oh – sweet babies! What a beautiful moment.
jen says:
tears rolling down my face for this one…what a beautiful moment!
Tia says:
Beautiful. Maddie and Annie, sisters forever
Megan Z says:
beautiful.
Dawn @ What's Around the Next Bend? says:
Oh. Wow. Crying.
LOVE both of your girls!
Melissa says:
This made cry. Looking through the comments, I am find I am far from alone. What a beautiful moment. Thanks for sharing.
domestic extraordinaire says:
sobbing.
So beautiful.
I know that Maddie will be such an important part of Annie’s life.
Caitlin says:
This is so bittersweet. Thank you for sharing this :*)
Zoe says:
Wow, that is so sweet…sisterhood is a bond nothing can break
Courtney says:
Where was the mascara warning on this one? Such a beautiful moment. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Lucy says:
Okay Heather, you just made my heart go all blubbery. I can only imagine how your heart must have filled up.
Kristin (MamaKK922) says:
Sobbing. How beautifully touching and so very sweet.
Glenda says:
Priceless!
wonderchris says:
There are no words to express how special that moment was/is. WOW!!
neeroc says:
Such a beautiful moment. You brought tears to my eyes.
neena says:
sweetest post ever. period.
Saily says:
One of the most beautiful posts I have ever read!
Christy says:
Oh. My. Tears.
This post made my heart break and mend at the same time. Maddie lives on in your love…and Annie’s love….I cannot think of anything more beautiful than her lasting legacy.
Amanda M. says:
Okay, looking up at the ceiling to try and get the tears to go back inside of my eyeballs. Thank you for sharing one of life’s more gut wrenching and beautiful moments.
Heather says:
Heather, I have been reading your blog for a while now and I have found so many of your posts moving and beautiful but especially this one. Your little girls will always share a bond that nothing can break and thank you for sharing this story and your beautiful girls with us.
Tracie says:
Beautiful. in the midst of tears.
Jackie M says:
That is precious beyond words. And now you have a beautiful written narrative of it, for Annie to hopefully read one day and smile over.
Monica says:
How fantabulously cool! Those are the most beautiful, or since I used fantabulously, I might as well use beautifulest!! two syllables a little sister could ever put together! Awesome, Annie!!!
katrina says:
OMG that put an immediate lump in my throat. How very precious. I love that she said her sister’s name. *tears*
Liz says:
Your two girls should be there with you, together. I’m so sorry that they’re not.
amourningmom says:
Annie is so sweet and smart. Beautiful post – thank you for sharing. Take care.
Lynnette says:
That is the sweetest thing I have heard in such a long time. The love shared between siblings is so strong and transcends EVERYTHING. You are doing an amazing job of letting Annie know Maddie and letting her feel the love you and Mike have for both of your girls. Good job Mom and Dad!
niki says:
oh, wow. how achingly lovely.
Amelia says:
How beautiful.
LaurieSL says:
This one made me tear this morning. So sad and beautiful.
Karen says:
That sound Steve Martin makes in Father of the Bride when the daughter calls, I love you, Mattie! to her little brother on the night before her wedding?
I just had one of those.
amanda says:
Love.
LibraryGirl62 says:
Did you melt? Cause I just did
Momma Lioness Michele says:
*Sob* – so beautiful. Annie and Maddie have such a special bond. Thank you for sharing these moments with us, Heather.
Jessica says:
Sitting here with tears in my eyes. Blessings to you Maddie and Annie. Sweet, sweet sisters.
Tamara says:
Your most beautiful post ever. Just beautiful…
anotherheatherfromcanada says:
Oh Heather, this is just beautiful … and so gut wrenchingly sad at the same time …
Melissa says:
She loves you ALL very much. Ah, the tears. Your babies have made their way into my heart. I love your daughters.
Bryn Heathman says:
That is the most beautiful story, Heather. Annabel is such a healer!
Amy S. says:
*tears*
so beautiful!
Jodie Brooks says:
So AWESOME and BEAUTIFUL! I LOVE IT!! Sending kisses to those girls of yours!!!
Simone says:
Amazing. They are both loved very much and they are so lucky for it.
Amy says:
Oh Heather, what a heart sigh! I love to read your blog and see how much Annie is changing and I love how she kissed your wrist and said her sister’s name! (((HUGS)))
Lex (@laprimera) says:
Overcome with emotions…
xoxo
I just want to get in my car right now and drive to you and hug you all.
Veronika says:
So beautiful and at the same time, heartbreaking. I’m crying too.
Sloane Reed says:
Isn’t it heartwarming when our young children inherently understand the love of family? That bond transcends all else. Annie knows Maddie loves her. And she loves Maddie too.
Janina says:
Seriously this is the sweetest thing I have ever heard. After reading this, I was inspired to draw… Beautiful girls you have.
Your family is such an inspiration.
Hugs from a stranger.
J in Eire says:
Such a beautiful post Heather, your ability to write your heart out on a page is a gift, for you and for all of us who read your words daily. Incredible, I felt like I was there when Annie turned your wrist over and said her sisters name, a more beautiful sound I cannot imagine. Forever sisters.
Alice says:
they will be the most perfect sisters ever. you are very lucky, heather x
Thurieyyah says:
thats so beautifull…
Samantha says:
i love that you are telling annie all about maddie. i think it’s so important to keep those memories and her spirit alive. i will be interested to hear how their relationship develops, because it is something i think about everyday with my living son. i want him to know all about his brothers, but i also don’t want to confuse him. how do you explain death to someone who still spits his food out? how do i explain to him that he has three older brothers, but he just can’t play with them.
i remember reading about a woman who had twin girls, only one of which survived. the surviving twin was questioned by a teacher at school because she kept talking about her sister, and the teacher didn’t know that she really did have one. she thought that it was an imaginary friend. what do you do with that situation??? i would never want someone to tell my son that he doesn’t have any siblings…that would devastate me, and also confuse the hell out of him if i keep telling him about his brothers.
very tough questions….like i said, i look forward to hearing how annie and maddie’s relationship develops. in the meantime, i love that annie seems to feel a connection to her sister.
Hunter says:
And now I’m crying. So very sweet!
Lisa Marie says:
I just got choked up… but I had a cheeto in my mouth so I had to cough a little bit… but that was seriously beautiful. I love how babies “just know”… it’s amazing. Thanks for sharing that, it really was so touching
mandy says:
Melts my heart and brings tears to my eyes!
Rachael says:
So beautiful.
Christine says:
Overwhelming beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Sending so so much love.
DesignHER Momma says:
and she loves you, heather very much too.
xoxox
emily
eliza says:
Oh that took my breath away.
Rumour Miller says:
*crying*
Angela says:
Excuse while I burst into tears.
Krista says:
oooh, you made me cry again. Such wonderful daughters.
Erica says:
Tears of sadness and happiness Heather. We all miss Maddie
KimPossible says:
Such a beautiful post Heather, thank you for sharing – even if it did make me cry in the middle of the day
Becca says:
*crying*
So beautiful, so sweet.
Melissa Myers says:
I know this is supposed to make me sad but for some reason, it doesn’t. My heart fluttered. It feels like they finally met. What a beautiful moment. I know it must be bittersweet but it’s just another sign that they will always have each other and no matter where your family members may be, you will always be part of the same family and share the same love.
Caryn says:
I read your post and all the comments and I agree with them all. Just beautiful! But like the comment above me… I feel like they met, I can’t imagine how you felt to hear Annie say Maddie’s name. Nothing can come between the bond of sisters…. even if they never physically met.
Rebecca says:
I can’t help but think that was Maddie telling YOU she loves you very much…through Annie.
Kerri says:
Oh this makes me cry, but how incredible that she is so switched on to who her sister is. I love that she is already trying to say her name. Thank you for sharing this.
Rachel - A Southern Fairytale says:
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
{{tears}}
Ray says:
This made me shed a tear.
Annie is so AWESOME! Maddie too. <3<3<3
Ray says:
Also to hear Annabel say, “Mah-dah” must have been heavenly music to your ears. And I’m sure no matter how old Annie gets, or how many new words she learns that, “that will be your favorite.” Of how she first said her sister’s name, when she was just a babe.