Dear Kelly Clarkson...THIS is what happened to Miss Independence!

Here she is...our little miss independence!

If I would have had just a small glimpse of the personality my baby would have as she blossomed, giving her a name in the hospital wouldn't nearly have taken me so long. Carly means "free man" and there couldn't possibly be a name more fitting for her.

It has become quickly apparent and extremely bittersweet that Carly's beautiful spirit will never require a lot of hovering under her parents wings.

She is joyful, giving, sweet, exceptionally smart and adoring of her big brother.

At almost 40 years old, I couldn't be more opposite of Carly. There are many days I still want my own Mom to hold my hand and tell me everything will be alright or take care of me when I am sick. Even when she falls down it is hard to comfort her as she quickly rallies in protest at her physical limitations.

She is bold, fun, loud, confident and proud. One day last week, Allen swung her upside down by her feet and she shrieked so loud I thought the windows would crack! One day, Carly will be the ONE at the amusement park that you will be able to hear from the top of the ride and laugh that someone can scream that loud.

She favors her family, puppies, kitties, Barney, Elmo and Chick-fil-a ice cream and like all Hope grandchildren before her, she ADORES her Paw-Paw.

They share secrets and have a special language between them that is cherished and true.

The ONLY time Carly wants to stay close is night time and this has been since day one. Some people may be aggravated at the thought of sleeping with their little one(s) but it is at this time that I get to gaze at her striking features and thank God that she is in our life as I hold her tight at the end of the day and many times throughout the night.

My niece Amanda has been visiting colleges this summer to determine her plans after graduating next year.

I remember taking Amanda on field trips and swinging her high in the air like it was yesterday and just like everyone says it went by SO incredibly fast. I looked down at Carly and wondered what colleges we would visit one day with hopes she won't go TOO far away. And although Carly will probably be off circling the world and doing stints in the peace corps or an internship at an international embassy, I can be at peace because her brother will probably still be living at home and demanding help with putting his socks on!

Be free my little girl. I now know what it really means to let something free when you really want to hold it way too tight.