To say that I am proud of the young woman you're becoming is an understatement. You are wise beyond your years and are more empathetic than most grown-ups. Your view and understanding of the world around you are as complex as beautiful. Those who know you correctly describe you as an "old soul."
You have grown into an amazing young woman. You are a beautiful, intelligent, and so caring human being. You shine in everything you do. Your friends look up to you so much. Please know how incredibly blessed I feel when I see you.
As I watched you grow into this extraordinarily independent, brave, curious, and outspoken young woman, I couldn’t smile more for who you are. I see those qualities of you as a little girl and how they are serving you now, and I am already imagining how they will serve you in the future.
It is such a delight to meet with your teachers. They have nothing but praise for you. Raising you is easy. You're mature and well-rounded, and you take the responsibilities seriously.
Please never forget that life is a journey, an ongoing lesson. You’ll make mistakes. Make them. That’s where growth happens. Learn from those mistakes because if you continue to make them, they are no longer mistakes but choices. I have made many mistakes, but that is OK; they have made me stronger than you.
Just so you know, smart is the new cool. Never be ashamed of being smart or nerdy or loving chess, science, and math. Smart never goes out of style; it stays with you as you grow and will lead you down the most successful paths. And wanting to win is ok. Just win for the right reasons!
Live your life with purpose and give purpose to your life. Never turn a blind eye to someone in need. Remember that doing good deeds will reap the most significant benefits. Keep on doing things that you enjoy all by yourself once in a while. Continue to treasure your own company. That is something that took me a long time to do.
I know one day, in the not-so-distant future, you will go off and not need me the way you do now. To sit on your bed and cuddle you to sleep. To go grocery shopping together or drive you to school and other classes. And I already miss it!
People say time with your children goes by too fast. And I don’t know. Maybe it does. But I think it goes as it should if you do it right. If you’re really all in. Paying attention. Noticing. Staying in the moment, even when it’s hard. And I’ve had that with you.
It may have taken me a while as a mother to get there. But I’m here now. Listening. Witnessing. Just being by your side. And time is going by as perfectly and beautifully as it’s meant. Slow enough for me to savor but fast enough to understand the precious sacredness of it all.
In each of my past letters to you, I’ve shared wishes I had as you entered the following year. This time is a little different. The YOU I see daily possess incredible qualities, and my desires for you center around keeping them: continue to dream big, spend time with those you love, light your passion and fire, embrace your uniqueness, practice empathy, follow your heart, and smile. You do you since you are doing an incredible job so far!
But most importantly, never forget that God loves you unconditionally + has fantastic plans for you and that you’ll always be my baby girl!
Love you to the moon, beyond, and back,
Mom
