A Letter to My Daughter on Her Birthday

Lillian Marie,

You are six today. Five seemed old but watching you hold up the number six with your fingers today brought tears to my eyes. You now have to use TWO HANDS to show your age instead of one.

Lilly’s adorable dress is from Pink Chicken. I will be sharing more about this amazing brand next week, but this dress is so perfect for any special birthday girl!

Your birthday will always be my favorite day of the year (more than Christmas which is saying a lot). Every year on your birthday, we celebrate the greatest possible gift we could have been given.

You have brought so much joy into our lives. Watching you grow into the woman God is creating you to be has been one of the things I cherish most in life.

As you get older, I am both proud and in awe of you. I love your quick wit, humor, and strong sense of self. Even though your directness terrifies me at times, I know it will serve you well in life (if you let it).

I know there will be times where we butt heads (there already are) and I know you will probably find me annoying at some point in your life but I hope that you always know that there is absolutely nothing you can do that would reduce my love for you.

I hope when you are 30, you will still call for me (or just call me) and look to me when you are weak or are not sure where to go or what to do.

I know that as your mom, I will not always get it right. Despite how hard I try. I will fail. I already have made tons of mistakes and know that I will make more in the future, but please know that I am always trying.

Trying to understand YOU for who YOU are, for who God made you to be. Making sure that MY will is not what I wish for you but to see God’s will for your life, and help you navigate in a way that leads you to the path you are meant to be on…

Trying to make sure that I quickly realize your strengths and talents and help you pursue what ignites your soul and brings passion to your heart but also to help you overcome your weaknesses.

Weaknesses. We all have them. We all struggle, and when you struggle, I want you to feel comfortable enough to come to me for help. I may not always know how to help, but I promise to help you overcome those bumps in your path.

It feels like yesterday that your daddy and I were bringing you home from the hospital. I still remember those long nights awake with you. They seem hard looking back now, but I loved those nights with you. Our quiet time together when the world was sleeping. I didn’t think I could possibly love you more than in those moments but here we are….six years later…and I love you more by the passing day.

There will be people who don’t love you. There will be so many disappointments and heartbreak in your life…and as you officially start school this fall, my heart doesn’t feel quite ready to let you experience those things. People will hurt you and inevitably let you down.

Love them anyways.

There will be people who don’t accept you, who don’t understand you. Stay true to who you are, I promise you will always be enough.

I could not be more proud of the person you are. So today, we celebrate six years of your life…the best six years of mine…and how honored I am that God chose me to be your mom.

I will never forget the small moments like your very first cry, or how excited you are to lick the frosting off your birthday cake candles or the sound of your little girl belly laugh that I could listen to for hours.

I pray that you always are as strong as you are now. That you learn so much more during the sixth year of your life, that you love others deeply…and that each day you take one step closer towards the woman God created you to be.

I love you more than I ever thought possible and I am so glad you are mine.

Love,

Mom