Tonight we went out for dinner to celebrate our daughter Alexandria being accepted into University, and Charlotte's recent awards - a lovely night with our beautiful girls.

I was just dozing off to sleep, when I felt Alex get into bed beside me.

"What's up Al?"

"I'm just going to lie here with you for a bit, I can't sleep."

"It's okay, you can stay."

I put my hand on her forehead, and she was asleep within minutes. Just like when she was little :-)

What she doesn't know is that when I said she could stay, I meant she could stay forever if she wanted.

I know she won't. I know she's excited and nervous. I know she's preparing for a new chapter. I know she'll have a beautiful life.

But an hour later, I was still awake, feeling overwhelmed at the thought of my baby heading out into the big wide world.

So I do what I've always done, I turn to my albums.

Sonya has created an album a year for each of her girls since they were born.

I love watching her grow up on the pages in front of me.

They remind me that as each moment passes, a new time begins.

They remind me that I did survive the moment that I realised that she wasn't a baby any more… wasn't a toddler anymore… wasn't a child any more… won't be a teenager much longer.

They remind me that it's okay to shed tears for the moments that have passed and for the moment that is passing.

But the part that gives me the greatest comfort, and what I love most of all, is thinking about the blank pages. They gently remind me that they will soon be filled with beautiful new moments.

And now I can sleep.

Sonya x