I hope and pray that I grow to be half the woman and mother my own mom has been to me. She is my role model, best friend, number one supporter, and everything I aspire to be as a person. I couldn't imagine my world without her, and I hope to have the same impact on my own kids one day. I realize that 10 or so years down the road, when I start raising kids, times will have changed. I might not remember exactly how I felt when I went through hardships during difficult times in my life growing up.
Being a girl growing up comes with many challenges and obstacles that I wouldn't have been able to get throughout without my mom. So this is 18-year-old me writing an article dedicated to my future daughter.
1. I will always love you, unconditionally. And I will remind you often.
I love you already and I will continue to love you forever and always more than you will ever be able to know. I will tell you how much I love you every single day and show you how much I mean it.
2. I will rejoice with you during your biggest joys and support you during your darkest lows.
It will fill me with joy when you are rejoicing in happy moments of life. I promise that I will lift you up always, and share these joyful moments with you and laugh with you. You are not perfect, and I will never expect you to be perfect. You are going to make plenty of mistakes, but that is how you grow and become the beautiful woman that I know you will be one day. I will love you through every struggle and hug you tight during every tear.
3. Your first heartbreak will be the hardest, but you are going to be okay.
Lord have mercy on the boy who breaks your heart. You will be going through a hurricane of emotions. It might even feel like your whole world is crumbling, so it's okay to cry hard and stuff your face with ice cream. I'll be right there by your side with another spoon. I will remind you of how truly special, beautiful, and cherished you are. Because you are, and you will find someone one day who will never make you doubt any of those things. Heartbreaks are a part of life; from each relationship you will grow more and more and be one step closer to the wonderful man that God has picked out for you. You will get through it and be happy again, I promise.
4. I not only want to be your mom, but also a best friend to you.
There will be things you don't want to talk to your mom about, and I get that. But I want you to know that I was a teenager too and experienced a lot of the same things you are. If something is on your heart, I don't care how outrageous it is, I am your mother and I cannot pass judgement on you. I can only love you, and I am here to listen if you need it. If it's three in the morning and you've got yourself into a bad situation and you need a ride home, call me. No questions asked; I will come get you and be glad you called me. I will be your biggest supporter and always give my best advice.
5. Friends will come and go, but you will find true friendships that will last your lifetime.
The people you surround yourself with will have a huge impact on your life, so make sure that you invest yourself in the kind of people who push you to be the best version of yourself that you can be. You will have many people in your life come and go. People who you think will be your best friends will end up becoming strangers. Be kind to everyone, but be strong enough to not let people walk all over you. Do not waste your time on "toxic" friends who tear you down. I can promise that you will find good, true friends who will lift you up and love you for who you are.
6. Always keep God number one in your life.
Your relationship with the Lord is something you will have as a constant rock in your life. I will pray with you and for you everyday, that you can have a heart open to what God has in store for you and always trust in His plans. I hope that you constantly seeks the Lord and trust in Him everyday.
7. Count your blessings.
Wake up every morning, and before you put your feet to the floor, let your mind and heart linger on the fact that you are incredibly blessed and fortunate to be alive. At times, it will be easy to fall into the trap of negativity, but if you think about how much you have to be happy about, it will amaze you. Even when it's hard, try to have a positive outlook on life and find little blessings.
8. Love yourself.
I want you to love yourself and know your beauty without a compliment or a mirror. Don't let your sense of self worth come from a boy, how much you weigh, what you look like, or what others think of you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made and created for greatness. You are so very loved.
