My dearest daughter,

Hi sweetie, it’s your mom. I’ve been waiting a long time to be able to say that and an even longer time to meet you, and I want you to know that since the moment you took your first breath, you have forever become the most important thing in my world.

You’re still so little that you can wrap your entire hand around my thumb, and I can’t wait to spend the best years of my life watching you grow up. But I don’t want to rush these times when you’re still so small away—I know I’m going to miss them as soon as they disappear.

We’ll have plenty of time to talk and chat together, but I know it’s going to feel like I’ll never have enough time with you.

We can talk about anything and everything you want, anytime. If you want me to just listen and not say anything either, I’m more than happy to do that.

You’re so small and precious and fragile in your baby blanket as I cradle you in my arms. But one day, you’re going to be strong and wise and old enough to read, and when you can, I have some advice I want to offer you. I kind of know a thing or two about this crazy “life” stuff, and I want you to hear from me the things I wish I hadn’t had to learn the hard way.

So my dear, here are some important tidbits I want you to remember as you grow up into a beautiful, wonderful woman. Remember these things always, but don’t worry: if you forget them, I’ll always be there to remind you what you need to know.

First off, I want you to know that I love you. I love you more than life itself, and my biggest dream in life is to see you healthy and happy. If nothing else but raising a happy daughter occurs in my life, I’ll consider it complete. You are the center of my universe, and I’m just orbiting around you, loving you and supporting you all the ways that I can. I want you to know that if all else fails in this world and you’re questioning what you have, just know that you’ll always have a mom who’s crazy about you, and I will love you unconditionally for all the days of your life. I love you just the way you are: all your flaws and quirks, all your insecurities and dreams. I’m going to love them all, because all these little pieces are going to add up to the work of art that is my amazing daughter.

I want you to know that I’m going to be far from perfect. The saying “mother is always right” unfortunately isn’t going to be true with me. I’m probably going to mess up sometimes, and you’re going to shut me out for it, but just know that even if you close your bedroom door to keep me out, mine will always, always be open. Anytime we drift apart, I’ll just patiently wait for you to come back to me. I’m going to make mistakes and mess up often, but I never want you to question that I have your best interests at heart. I’m going to get upset with you and fight with you sometimes, and I bet sometimes I’ll be in the wrong and for that, I’m already sorry. Hopefully, your father will be there to be a voice of reason when I go a little mom-crazy.

I want you to know that I believe in you. I’m going to raise you to be a strong, resilient spirit, and you’re going to have the world at your fingertips. I’m going to teach you that working hard is the single most important skill you can learn, and I already know you’re going to be a natural at it. There are going to be times when you feel like you can’t do something, when an obstacle is too big to climb over, and I just want you to know that I’ll always be here to remind you that you can. Because I know you can; you can do anything, and darling, your momma isn’t a liar. You have the power to set the world on fire and shift the ocean tides; all you have to do is believe it the way that I believe in you. You hold the key to the world in the palm of your hand, and if you want to unlock it, it’s yours.

I want you to know that you are beautiful, but not because of the way you look. Yes, my dear, you are adorable and cute and perfect in my eyes, but that’s not the reason you’ve stolen my heart. Your soul is kind and warm and gentle, and you make this world a better place just by being in it. You have a beauty that cannot compare to the sight of a pretty face; your beauty is deep in the core of your being, and it’s something that will be visible to everyone, but only a select few will really choose to see it. It will always be crystal clear to your father and me though, and if you ever need help seeing how amazing you are, just ask us: we’ll gently remind you that you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to us, and our world would stop spinning without you. I don’t want you to worry about being “pretty,” because you already are, but that’s not why you’re so valuable. I want you to focus on being pretty kind, pretty smart and pretty amazing. Anybody can paint themselves a pretty face; it’s rare to find a soul today who spends as much time beautifying their personalities as they do their exterior. But I want you to focus on making your soul beautiful: that’s the kind of beauty that even time can’t erase, and it’s the kind no one can ever take away from you. Be yourself honey, no matter what others may tell you. Taylor Swift says it best: “Don’t you worry your pretty little mind, people throw rocks at things that shine.” Let the spark inside you glow and shine and shimmer, and never give somebody else the power to put it out.

I want you to find what you’re passionate about—what makes you tick, what keeps you going, and what makes you excited to wake up in the morning. I’m going to tell you that these things can change over time, and they can transform to be something you’d never dream it to be. I want you to know these things that make your eyes sparkle and make your lungs crave air are not easy to find, but once you find them, they can get you through the darkest of hours and the worst of storms. Hold on to these things when you find them—they will keep you satisfied and dreaming your entire lifetime. Do these things passionately and never take a single moment of what you get to do for granted. Remember there are plenty of people you can inspire and impact simply by appreciating and doing what you love.

I want you to know that life is not always going to be pretty; it can get really ugly at times. And I want you to know that try as we might, there are going to be things even your father and I can’t protect you from. When you discover what these things are and that they can hurt you, don’t worry: your father and I have spent years suiting up and preparing for these coming battles so we can help you fight these demons off any way we can. But if you want time alone and want to fight these battles on your own instead, that’s OK too —just know that if you need us, we’re always here and ready to fight for you, anytime you call. Know that no matter how far away you travel or how long the journey home is, I’ll always wait up for you, holding a cup of your favorite hot chocolate in one hand and your puppy in the other, ready and eager to welcome you home.

I want you to find true love: the kind of love that makes your head spin and your heart flutter. I want you to have your very own prince charming the way I have your father, and I want you to have a happily ever after. If it’s a princess you’re after, I can’t wait to meet her. I want you to find someone to share your life and story with, and I want you to never settle for someone who doesn’t treat you right—because you deserve the best this world has to offer. Your father wants you to know that if any of those silly boys you come across in middle school or high school break your heart, he’s willing to break them, but I kindly reminded him that my parents said the same thing to me. But they gave that scruffy, rugged teenaged boy he used to be a chance once they knew how much I loved him. I want you to remember that any guy on this Earth would be lucky to be your companion, and no matter how little boys can make you feel and no matter how disposable they make you think you are, you are flawless and beautiful and loved, and it’s them, not you, that needs to change. There are going to be boys who walk into your life dressed as your dream guy, and they’ll take off faster than a bullet from a gun without a single explanation why. These times can be pretty devastating, but as your mom, I want you to know that I’ve survived these moments that too, and I’ll be over in 10 with ice cream and “Twenty Seven Dresses” whenever you say the word. I want you to be with someone who looks at you the way I look at your dad, and when you finally meet this person, I can’t wait to welcome him into the family. Wait for the guy who compliments your soul, the one who holds your hand and never lets you forget that you’re beautiful—honey, he’s the one you want to spend your life with.

I want you to find an irreplaceable group of friends: friends you can laugh with, cry with and share everything with. Having a great group of girlfriends is key to surviving high school, breakups, college, marriage troubles, you name it. Find friends who are good to you—the ones you can call at 2 a.m. to come help you push your car home, the ones who will drop everything to be there for you when you need it. Surround yourself with friends who don’t think you’re crazy when you tell them your wildest dreams, the kind that call you on the phone when you haven’t talked in a while, just because they want to make sure they never drift apart from you. Pick the ones your parents love, the ones that fit into your obnoxious-crazy family and the ones who still like you after they’ve learned everything about you. Go with the ones who make you feel good about who you are and support you through life’s ups and downs—they’ll help you keep your sanity.

Finally, my dear, I just want you to be happy. I want you to live the fullest life you can, and I want you to be the very best that you can be. I want you to travel and explore and conquer, and I also want you to come home, back to your roots, to see your mom and dad. I want you to take chances and risks: I want you to appreciate when you get a little lucky and things go your way, and I want you to humble yourself and learn from it when things don’t. I want you to experience everything this world has to offer, and I want you to figure out what makes you complete. I want you to buckle down through hard times and cruise through the good ones and I want you to learn to love life, because if you can do that, I promise, it will love you back.

I want you to remember that no matter what, I’m always here for you, through all the curve balls life is going to throw your way and all the amazing things God is going to bless you with.

And I want you to remember to come and visit your mommy and daddy every once in a while, or at least call and tell us all about your successes and adventures and experiences whenever you get a free minute.

And always, always, always, remember: I love you.

And I can’t wait to meet the person you’ll become.