Dear River,

You’re eighteen meimei, and I can hardly believe it. I can remember when you came home from the hospital in mother’s arms; small, cute, gazing up at me like you already knew I didn’t match your mental capacity. And the eighteen years you’ve been in this Universe you’ve grown into a beautiful, brilliant, occasionally silly young woman. I’m so proud of you and the steps you’ve taken the past weeks, they’ve been hard for both of us, but it’s for the best. Where you are is only going to help you grow and mature. And on top of wishing you a Happy Birthday, Merry Yuletide! We’re all disappointed you won’t be here for Yuletide, however I hope this care package is enough of a slice of home. Kaylee was determined to send you some homemade Yuletide in this box, I think if she could have packed an entire Yuletide tree and sent it she would have. Inside is something from everyone, we all enjoyed putting it together and thinking of what you would open.

Here on the farm things haven’t changed much. Zoe is recovering well, though she is less than enthused about her pulmonary rehabilitation. Meilin is growing, I assume everyone has probably written about this to you, however seeing as she is the first infant of our little clan we all marvel in every new moment she has. I must confess, since your absence she has become my substitution of sorts, I find myself helping Inara and enjoying Meilin’s view of our life. Since she’s begun to smile and explore, she also has developed a happy disposition, often jabbering and lighting up at familiar faces. And I must also confess that when I spend time with her I do have the desire to settle with Kaylee and have a few cheery little ones of our own. We both think we should wait a few years before starting a family, however I feel more and more driven to propose to her with each passing day. Though we may wait on children, I want to be with Kaylee for the rest of my days and have that symbol of everlasting love with her more soon than later. Regardless I want to save money to