It was 11 years ago, on her 18th birthday, when I presented Caitlin with 18 hand-written love letters. It was an annual event for me to write my baby girl a letter on July 14th and stash it away in a “treasure box”. Now, as she was leaving the nest, it was time for my first-born to have them. Hopefully, seeing herself through a loving mother’s eyes and remembering all the goodness she had brought to our family would give her strength and wisdom as she set off on her own.
As parents, Bill and I could not have been more proud when Caitlin graduated with honors in economics from Wake Forest University. Wow!-we thought, money well-spent. She was on her way to her first big job in Philadelphia and the huge responsibility of seriously paying her own bills (woohoo!) Pretty sure there were times when she wished she was back in college, but she perseveres receiving promotion after promotion. Hello Ms Marketing Director.
And then came marriage and one of the happiest days of our lives. Hello, Mrs. Pemberton. Tomorrow she turns 29 and I realize I owe her way more than a love letter, but that is between me and her.
I will, however, share with you her favorite dessert which is cheesecake. Inspired by the plentiful basil in my garden and the juiciest, ripest strawberries ever this recipe is cause for celebration. Happy Birthday dear Caitlin!
Tips:
#1 place a piece of plastic wrap over the bowl of your food processor before securing the top to keep the top from getting dirty (since I hate washing the top)
#2 use a flat bottom cup to pat the crumb crust into place and the back of a spoon to smooth around the edge
Oh wow, looks heavenly Lisa…love the basil infusion! Happy Birthday to Caitlin!
love using fresh herbs in dessert
and happy birthday to Robert
Happy Birthday Caitlin; what a lovely gift for your daughter on her 29th birthday 🙂 but also what a lovely idea to write her letters and give them to her on her 18th!!! I would do that, I bet those letters are treasured by her. It’s obvious to me you two share a wonderful bond.
She is the best and as her mom could not have asked for more–I am very lucky
Happy Birthday to beautiful Caitlin!
thanks
What a beautiful story and what a wonderful idea to write those letters to save for your lovely daughter. I would say you are both very blessed. Thanks for the very unique recipe, I need to try that!
I am very happy I took the time to write her the letters and highly recommend it to all new moms. Hope you try the recipe.
Happy Birthday Cait!!
thanks uncle Lou
Lovely post, Lisa! AND, thanks for the plastic wrap/food processor tip. Brilliant!
thanks for the visit