Scruffy wisps of dirty blonde hair are combed over the bald spots on her peeling scalp that perches atop an enormous forehead. Between pointy Yoda-esque ears, two spherical cheeks monopolize her pudgy face and nearly obscure her mouth, empty except for a few crooked teeth running along her upper and lower gums. Although hairless and free of dimples, her limbs are encased in doughy fat that conceals her knees and elbows almost entirely. This would seem out of proportion if not for her rotund gut that protrudes far past her beltline and comprises the majority of her mushy body.

But when she smiles, her eyes twinkle and, as she shouts indecipherable gibberish at me through toothless gums, I never doubt that my daughter is easily the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.

Happy First Birthday, Bear.