Goodbye to our Brooke

As many people already know, Brooke has been our nanny over last year. She has been here at our house, nearly every weekday afternoon since weeks preceding Isabella's birth. What many people may not know is that she has been so much more than just a nanny to us. To us all, Brooke was like a sister.

My children always looked foward to the afternoons when they would get to play and laugh with Brooke. They never had to share her attentions with the duties of daily life like they do their mom and dad. She was there for them alone to enjoy. In addition to being safe and cared for, in Brooke's hands, my children were always happy and being stretched to their fullest potential. But more importantly, with Brooke, my children were being loved. And they loved her in return. As a mother, that is what I valued the most.

To me, Brooke was a trusted confidante, friend, and helper. Having her around was like having a second self (only a calmer version). She helped me bear the burdens and revel in the joys of motherhood on a day-to-day basis.

Brooke loves children more than anything, and she is so wonderful with them. I am so happy for her that she is now expecting her own baby. She deserves it as much as anyone. In accordance with her doctor's recommendation, Brooke will not be working as a nanny anymore, so she can try to stay off her feet and take it easy during the first trimester. This news is, of course, so bittersweet to us. We are excited for her to be moving on to this new chapter in her life, but also sad that she won't be a part of our daily lives anymore. We will definitely be keeping in touch and planning on seeing each other as often as possible, but her absence will still be felt.

We'll miss you Brooke. Thank you for everything.