Letters to Aren

"Dear Aren, Here's some news from Belgium, a little country somewhere in Europe. I just thanked your parents for giving you your beautiful name and for placing it on the web. Now I have evidence that this great name exists when we are going to register our Aren officially. I hope that our youngest will be as handsome as you are. Lots of groetjes from Belgium."

— Bert Verbeek
(Belgium)

"Dear Aren, I checked with Peter and he did not mind if this year you were my Valentine. Knowing that you are younger and funded only by an allowance of cookies and Nemo time, you can skip the roses and chocolates. I won’t bother you to take me out to dinner to an expensive restaurant. Neither of us drive and I don’t know how I could possibly fit on back of your “My First Tonka Truck”. So what do you say… will you be mine?? I can make really good heart shaped pancakes!!! (If you happen to say no, please don’t tell Uncle Peter. Maybe I can get a dinner out of him??)

— Aunt Kaia
(Bayonne,
New Jersey)

"Hoppin' horntoads Aren, you've growed up some since you first opened up your peepers! You've learned that water is for splashin', cats are hard to catch, dancing is just fun, 'Da' and 'quack' are easy words, crawling can get you places in a hurry, standing, holding on, grabbing for things and plopping down are parlor games, new teeth are annoying, when in doubt stick close to Mommy and you smile big when you're happy. Happiness is being one year old and loved by everyone. Now let's get started on saying 'Grandpa' — OK?"

— Grandpa H.
(Suffern, N.Y.)

"Although we are many miles away in the Himalayas...we had to send you a HUGE kiss and hug on your FIRST birthday. You are getting more adorable every day, young man. Can't wait to see all your adventures. Hey, how about a trip to Nepal with Auntie Aimee?"

— Aunt Aimee and Uncle Shailesh
(Kathmandu, Nepal)

"We just wanted to let your son know Opa and Omi love him on this special day Give him a big hug from us."

— Omi and Opa Elliott
(Madison, Wis.)

"Baby Aren, Happy First Birthday. I hope you have a great day and get to eat some cake."

— Uncle Harold
(Gales Ferry, Conn.)

"I know you don't know me, but my name is Aren too. I haven't seen anyone who spells their name the same way I do and I thought this was really interesting. Well I am 15 (almost 16!), a GIRL, and I live in Texas! I was in Key Largo last week for my spring break, though. Well I just thought I would let you know that I am an Aren too. Good luck, little Aren!"

— Aren Lackey
(Somewhere in Texas)

Hi Aren, I am enjoying your pictures over here. They help to keep in touch with family far away. And by the way, you have a great smile. I am also talking a lot. These days I have been enjoying reading lots of books. Both in English and Mommy's language, Finnish. I like to help wash dishes and bake. I am also knitting a little. When Daddy comes home we play cars and watch videos. Look forward to seeing you again."

— Tomi Elliott
(Valkinnen, Finland)

"It's cute that your first word is 'cat.' My (almost) two-year-old son's first word was 'cat' too! He loves the cat, and also loves cat food. Be careful with this one - we have found that Kibble gives Hugh the runs."

— Charlie Gallo
(New York)

[Note from Aren's parents: Thanks for the warning, Charlie.]

> Baby Blog letters.