For when you’re grown up
Dear Arthur,
Papa and Mama made this website as a gift for you. One day, when you’re all grown up, we hope you’ll come back to this page and read these words again.
A letter from Papa & Mama
Dear Arthur,
When you were born in May 2016, our whole world changed. We started taking photos of everything: your tiny hands, your first bath, your first laugh. We never stopped. Thousands of photos later, this website is where we keep the best of them, for you.
You have always been curious. As a baby you studied every box, every wheel and every button, asking “what is this?” with your eyes long before you could say the words. Please never lose that. The world is big and full of wonderful things to understand.
You have also always been brave. On a quiet afternoon in August 2017 you walked by yourself for the very first time, and by that evening you were running. Since then you have touched snow, met kangaroos, flown across the world, earned a new belt and learned to ride a bike. Remember that feeling the next time something looks hard. You have done hard things before.
And then you became a big brother. The way you looked at Reagan the first time you met him is one of our favourite memories. Take care of each other, always.
There will be days that are harder than others. On those days, remember that you are loved more than you will ever know, that home is always open, and that it is okay to start again.
Whatever you choose to do and whoever you become, we are already proud of you. Live life to the fullest, be kind along the way, and keep your heart full of hope.
We love you past the moon, the stars, the planets and the sun.
With all our love,
Papa & Mama
Baca surat ini dalam Bahasa Indonesia
Arthur sayang,
Waktu kamu lahir di bulan Mei 2016, seluruh dunia kami berubah. Kami mulai memotret semuanya: tangan mungilmu, mandi pertamamu, tawa pertamamu. Dan kami tidak pernah berhenti. Ribuan foto kemudian, website inilah tempat kami menyimpan momen-momen terbaiknya, untukmu.
Dari kecil kamu selalu penasaran. Waktu masih bayi, kamu memperhatikan setiap kotak, setiap roda dan setiap tombol, seolah bertanya “ini apa?” jauh sebelum kamu bisa mengucapkannya. Jangan pernah kehilangan rasa ingin tahu itu. Dunia ini luas dan penuh hal indah untuk dipelajari.
Kamu juga selalu berani. Suatu sore di bulan Agustus 2017 kamu berjalan sendiri untuk pertama kalinya, dan malamnya kamu sudah berlari. Sejak itu kamu menyentuh salju, bertemu kanguru, terbang keliling dunia, naik sabuk di latihan bela diri dan belajar naik sepeda. Ingat perasaan itu setiap kali ada sesuatu yang terlihat sulit. Kamu sudah pernah melewati hal-hal yang sulit.
Lalu kamu menjadi seorang koko. Cara kamu menatap Reagan saat pertama kali bertemu adalah salah satu kenangan favorit kami. Saling jaga, selamanya.
Akan ada hari-hari yang lebih berat dari yang lain. Di hari-hari seperti itu, ingatlah bahwa kamu dicintai lebih dari yang bisa kamu bayangkan, bahwa rumah selalu terbuka untukmu, dan bahwa tidak apa-apa untuk memulai lagi.
Apa pun yang kamu pilih dan jadi apa pun kamu nanti, kami sudah bangga padamu. Jalani hidup sepenuhnya, tetap baik hati di sepanjang jalan, dan penuhi hatimu dengan harapan.
Kami sayang kamu melewati bulan, bintang, planet dan matahari.
Dengan segenap cinta,
Papa & Mama
Ten things to remember
What we hope you’ll carry with you
01
Live life to the fullest
Say yes to adventures, try new things and laugh as often as you can.
02
Stay curious
Keep asking “what is this?” and “how does it work?” Curiosity will take you everywhere.
03
Be kind, even when no one is watching
Kindness is never wasted, and it always comes back around.
04
Look after your brother
You and Reagan are a team for life. Protect each other, forgive each other.
05
Work hard and finish what you start
Talent helps, but effort is what gets you there.
06
Failing is part of learning
Fall, get up and try again, just like you did when you learned to walk.
07
Say thank you, sorry and I love you
Say them often. Those three sentences fix almost everything.
08
Choose your friends wisely
Stay close to people who make you a better person.
09
Take care of your body and your mind
Sleep, move, eat well, and talk to someone when things feel heavy.
10
You can always come home
No matter how old you are or how far you go, our door is always open.
From the family album
Words we wrote to you when you were little
These are captions Mama and Papa posted under your baby photos. We meant every one of them then, and we still do.
“
I love you times twenty million, bajillion times infinity!
October 2016
“
Start each day with a smile and a grateful heart.
October 2016
“
You stole my heart, but I’ll let you keep it.
November 2016
“
Some days are going to be harder than others, but always remember to keep the hope in your heart.
December 2016
“
Cherish the little things and hug the ones you love.
February 2017
“
Enjoy life, it’s a gift. Unwrap it with gratitude and love.
May 2017
Sealed until your 18th birthday · May 2034
A letter for when you turn 18
This one is locked. When you turn eighteen, ask Papa & Mama for the password.
This page will keep growing.
Every birthday there’s room for a new letter. Until then: live life to the fullest, Arthur.
Arthur Liman 