Butterfly Boy August 9, 2010 – Posted in: Applique, Sewing

I’ve been sitting here for the past hour writing, deleting, and rewriting, trying to find a way to write this post. It’s personal, painful, and heartbreaking—and it’s not mine.

I have a friend, who 5 years ago today, welcomed her first baby into this world. Ryan was born with a congenital heart defect and she and her husband got to have their little boy for just 54 hours. I didn’t meet her until a few years later, when we were preparing for the birth of our babies in the summer of 2008. She had a very healthy, very beautiful little girl.

Last year, as what would have been Ryan’s 4th Birthday approached, she posted on Facebook that she’d like everyone to do a Random Act of Kindness in honor of her sweet boy. I pondered for weeks about what I was going to do, but nothing I came up with seemed like enough. It finally dawned on me that I wanted my RAK to be for her. So I brainstormed, Googled, and got out my fabric. After all, when my heart hurts, I channel it into sewing.

Around the world, butterflies are believed to be the souls of those who came before us. They are symbols of our loved ones who have left this Earth. Every year my friend makes a butterfly cake and they celebrate Ryan’s birth. And what better way to celebrate than with a butterfly dress. I used the same pattern I’d used for Sofie’s birthday dress, because I think it’s just adorable on little toddlers. Then I put it in the mail, without ever mentioning it to her.

This year, she now has a rambunctious 2 year old and the most gorgeous 2 week old. To help celebrate their big brother’s birthday, I made them party shirts.

3 butterflies on each, for the 3 children in their family.

My first attempt at a ruffle butt! I didn’t want to overdo the tiny newborn size onesie, so there’s only 2 little ruffles.

And again, I mailed these without telling her. July flew by without me realizing it, so I didn’t get them out until Thursday. If she didn’t get them Saturday, they’ll arrive today.

Happy Birthday, Ryan! You’re on our mind, in our hearts, and never forgotten!