They say butterflies appear when angels are near. I am convinced.

My daughter and I first spotted a male monarch in the garden, and almost immediately after a female monarch butterfly. She instantly named both of them with two very special names. I love how sentimental a 7-year-old can be, how she says the first thing that comes to her mind. She instantly brought tears to my eyes, as well as a huge smile. My kind, thoughtful girl.

It’s not only amazing watching their lifecycle, but also touching when you stop and think about how much they come to mean to you.

The first photo is of the female, second one a male. The male has two black dots on its lower wing. The final photo is of the pair, male on the left, female on the right.