Bunches and Scrunches...Forever and Ever

Dear Faith,

Today, as I watched you picking out earrings to wear to school, it hit me just how grown up you are becoming. It makes me so proud and breaks my heart all at the same time. I remember holding you in my arms for the very first time. To me it seems like you were born only yesterday. But I know to you it seems like life is moving so slowly. I remember that feeling. I remember wishing I was older so that I could get to all of the "good stuff" in life more quickly. Sweet little girl, as you become more and more a little lady here are a few of the things I hope and pray for you.

First, I hope that you can enjoy the good stuff that is happening in your life right here, right now. I know that driving and prom and boys all seem so exciting, but I promise those things will come soon enough. For now, I pray that you can experience the full joy of slumber parties and drawing cheetahs and wishing on shooting stars. Those things really are the good stuff. I promise!

I also pray that you will continue to grow appreciating exactly who you are. There is a whole lot of pressure to be someone else. All of us girls go through times when we feel like we should be taller or thinner or smarter or more popular. I remember feeling that pressure too. You might feel like it is uncool to be kind, but be kind anyway. You might not feel like you will be popular if you are silly, but be silly anyway! Most of all, remember that you are incredible exactly the way you are! You, my sweet girl, are the most amazing person. You are kind and fun and giving. You love other people in a way that most people never learn to do, even as grown ups. When you walk into a room, it lights up just because you are there. Please believe me when I tell you that you are perfect exactly as you are! And I hope that you will continue to be yourself, even when you feel like the whole world is telling you to be something different so you can fit in. You were born to stand out!

I hope that you keep dreaming really BIG dreams! You, my sweet girl, can be anything you want to be. You can go anywhere you want to go! The world has so much to offer you and you will have so much to offer the world. I hope that you can remember that when your friends start telling you that dreaming is silly and babyish. It isn't! The most incredible women live their whole lives with big dreams in their hearts. Sometimes all of us girls can feel like the only important things for us to do are to look pretty and be popular. Sweetie, there is nothing wrong with looking nice. There is also nothing wrong with having lots of friends. But I will tell you a secret. Looking pretty only shows who you are on the outside. Some of the most glamorous people on the outside have really ugly hearts, and some of the most plain people on the outside have the most beautiful hearts. The thing that really makes you beautiful is the way that you live. Please keep treating people with kindness and respect. Keep living with a joyful heart. And keep dreaming. All of those things will make you truly happy.

Finally, I hope that you will always, always, always know that no matter what happens I will love you! There is nothing you could ever say or do that will EVER change my love for you. We all make mistakes. Everyone does things that they wish they hadn't. I'm sure that you will too. But no matter what, it will all be okay because I will love you BUNCHES and SCRUNCHES forever and ever and ever.

~ Mom