You will never fathom the joy that came over me the first time I looked at your beautiful, cherubic face. I finally had a reason to buy all those frilly dresses I saw in the stores. I finally had a tiny doll to coddle and spoil and squeeze. But one day, you'll grow up. And talk back. And we'll fight, and you'll hate me. But right now, I'm just enjoying the coolness of having a little doll.

But I get scared for you, sweetheart. I am terrified, when I watch the news, I see women being respected less, and victimized more. Girls go at each other's throats for no reason other than jealousy, sometimes. The world is full of malice, and even though you're a little spitfire, stubbornness only goes so far. And in this moment, like many others, I pray for you.

I pray that you will be tough. Not only physically, but mentally.Don't let someone push you around, because you're small, or skinny, or a woman. You are tougher than you look, and braver than you think.

I pray that you know your worth. These days, it's all about "Netflix and Chill." If I ever find out that you are doing this, you can expect to be chilling in your room for the rest of your natural born life, my hand to God. You are worth more than a one night stand, you are worth more than a hookup. If you have to ask someone, "What are we?", they aren't worth your time.

If you feel unloved, unwanted, or uncared for in a relationship, I pray that you will say something. You know your needs, your wants and your desires in life and in a relationship. Tell your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your best friend, whoever, what you need in a relationship. If it's a burden to them, they aren't right for you. If they cheat on you a lot, apologize, and do it again, they aren't right for you. Moreover, if you have to ask me if they're right for you, and they have done any of the aforementioned things, they are not right for you.

I pray that you will always feel beautiful. I hope you can acknowledge your flaws, and turn them into your strengths. Know that your button nose, and chubby cheeks make you unique and absolutely wonderful.

I pray that you will be modest, but confident. Don't think that showing every "asset" you have with attract a good partner for you. The right person will love you for your soul and the only people who give you that kind of attention are people you don't want in your life. Don't you dare think I'll let you leave the house like that, either. Go put on a sweater.

I pray that you won't grow up to fast. I pray that you understand that everyone goes through middle school, it's not pretty, but it's real. You need stepping stones to get to the beautiful woman you will become. So don't rush into wearing makeup, and if you do, glitter lip gloss is just fine. You need to practice with the cheap stuff, so I don't catch you with my $40 lipstick all over your face.

I pray that if you need something, you come to me. If you're scared for your future, come to me. If you're lonely, come to me. If you feel like you have no friends in the world, come to me. I am always there. Sure, I might be mad at first, but there is nothing you can say to me to make me love you any less.

I pray for many things for you, sweet pea, but these are just are a few things. I already know you're kind, and funny and smart - you learned it from me- but I want you to have this to look back on, because even when you feel you have no one, you'll always have me.