My sweet daughter, I wish I could tell you that the world will always see your worth and understand the deep strength within you. I wish I could promise you that you will always encounter people who respect you for your intellect and never question your ability to work hard. I wish I could tell you that your journey into womanhood will be easy and that the path before you will be without trial. But, I cannot promise you those things.
What I CAN promise you is that your dad and I will be cheering for you every step of the way. I CAN tell you what I see in you and the worth that I know you hold. I WILL commit to telling you regularly what I know to be true about who you are.
1. We love you.
We love you because of who you are, not because of anything you’ve done to earn our love. We love every part of who you are and who you will be. There is no one else exactly like you. You are special, and the world needs to experience the special things that you have to offer.
2. We’re proud of you.
We are proud of you for trying hard things even if you fail. We are proud of you for stepping outside of your comfort zone to stand up for others. We are proud of you for putting your all into everything you do. We are proud of you for treating others with kindness and taking the time to love those who may have been overlooked. We are proud of your generous spirit and your compassionate heart. We see you. We know you. And we are so very proud.
3. We believe in you.
We believe you can do anything that you set your mind to. We believe in your dreams, and we will support you as you chase after them. Be free to fly, little bird. We believe you will soar high.
4. You are beautiful.
You are stunning inside and out. Although the world may try to tell you that you should look a certain way to be beautiful, don’t believe them. You are perfect exactly the way you are. You are a beautiful masterpiece.
5. You are smart.
Do not underestimate the power of your mind. You are smart. You are witty. You are hilarious. You are highly capable of processing complex information. You are wise beyond your years. You have an astute grasp of the feelings of those around you. You are creative. You are complex. And you are an amazing problem-solver.
6. You are strong.
Your inner strength is greater than you even know. You have grit, girl. Even when you encounter something hard, you get back up and try again. Trust your instincts and fight for what you believe in. Don’t be afraid to show your emotions, listen to others, and admit when you are wrong. Your strength will be seen in your ability to lead others in humility, kindness, and integrity.
7. You are a world changer.
You were made for greatness. You were made to change the world. Let your light shine for the world to see. Share your joy wherever you go. Love others well. Show kindness to everyone you meet. And go forth confidently into the world!
Daughter, even if you encounter people along your journey who choose not to look for all the amazing things within you that we see, I pray that these things will be so ingrained in your being that you will be armed to stand in the face of adversity with confidence. Daughter, you are so full of potential. We cannot wait to see the woman you grow into. And one day, when you grow into that woman, we will still hold you close and tell you these things: We love you. We are proud of you. We believe in you. You are beautiful. You are smart. You are strong. And YOU, our sweet daughter, are a world changer!
