Dear Daughter,

As you sit on your Minnie Mouse couch and watch cartoons, I can’t help but to think about you, your future, and how you’ve made my entire existence so much better than it has ever been. It feels like yesterday that I brought you home but since you’re walking and talking, it’s clear that it’s been over a year. I’ll be honest, I still get a little sad when I realize you’re not a little baby anymore. You’ve grown into this toddler that looks like her daddy instead of me and doesn’t need me to rock her to sleep anymore.

I started going through your clothes today so I could sell them. There’s really no point in us hoarding hundreds of tiny clothes anymore, right? Except, every little outfit I touched went into the ‘keep’ pile I had made. Eventually, I just stopped and called it a lost cause. Watching you grow up has been the biggest joy. You can dance and sing and write with an ink pen. Your laugh is loud and contagious. Can you please stop growing up so fast?

I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Of course, you may not realize how much you’ve actually done in the 16 months you’ve been here. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I wasn’t even close to deciding on a major or even figuring out what school I really wanted to be at. My standards for men were ridiculous and all over the place. I was friends with anyone who’d talk to me. But now, I will hopefully be starting the nursing program in the Fall. I don’t entertain the idea of just any man but the man God has intended for me, no matter how long it takes for him to finally read his road map to my life correctly. Thank you, sweet daughter, for being the one to set me straight.

I pray that as you grow, you will experience everything in life. I make it a point to give you everything I can. I don’t intentionally spoil you but I just want you to love life and everything it has to offer. I only try to steal your kisses and let you sleep longer in the mornings so that you’ll know that I still want to hold you close and respect that you’re not a morning person. I take you to all things Disney because you deserve to see Mickey Mouse in person at least 10 times before you don’t care about him anymore. I want you to stay little as long as I can keep you there.

I promise to always give you the things you want as long as you’re grateful. If you learn one thing in life, I hope it is to be kind and loving. Respect anyone you meet. Do not let your friends down and do not be selfish. Set your standards to the standards of God and always put your Faith in Him. Say your bedtime prayers and thank God for each day you have. Always remember bows before bros. One more thing, always kiss your momma goodnight.

Although you can’t read and you won’t be able to for quite some time, I want to leave you with this last little bit. Daughter, I could never love anyone more. I know that I get frustrated and I know that I seem tired at times but it’s only because I want the best for you and I can’t always do or be that. Just remember that I do all things for you. You are beautiful and you important. Those are two things you must never let anyone tell you that you aren’t.

Daughter, I love you.