You are wanted. I am telling this you this now because I know at some point in your life you will feel like you aren’t. Whenever you think that, know you’re wrong.
I want to give you the world but that won’t happen because I don’t own the world. I own my heart- andit’s yours. I will do my best to teach you the wonders of God, the power of His redemption of and the freedom in His forgives. I will make sure you know the delight that comes from dance parties, jumping on beds, playing in the rain and building sandcastles. I want you to know the power of music. I will sing you love songs all the time. I will expose you to the greatness that is Dr. Seuss.
Education is important to me. You will go to school and I will expect your best. I will fight to make sure you are treated fairly and given every advantage available to you. I am your advocate.
Be different. It is so hard to tell you this because I know to be with ‘the in-crowd’ means you have to be the opposite, and being on the outside is hard. I promise the best way to find out who you are is not try and be like other people. Be the best you every minute of your life.
Don’t waste time with regret- repent and keep moving.
Say “m’am, sir, please and thank-you” all your life. Manners will take you farther than you know.
Race is an issue in America (and other countries for that matter) but it is not in our house. We accept and respect all races, ethnicities, creeds, religions, and sexual orientations. I will struggle with that fine line of raising you to be proud of your culture and being open to others. I don’t want you only identifying yourself by some box you check on applications. I don’t want you feeling pressured to fall into the stereotypes of that box, or spend your life trying to defy to said stereotypes. At some point, somebody, somewhere (some jack ass) will point your race out to you in an attempt to make you feel different and less than what you are. You are going to be confused. You may be hurt. You may be angry. That’s ok, as long as you don’t let that anger darken your heart. The seeds of anger have the power to make you make become a change-agent or…well, let’s just focus on you being a change agent. Feel the anger but don’t succumb to it and I will do my best to answer your questions.
It’s ok to cry.
Always vote…always be an educated voter.
You will apologize for many things. Never apologize for who you are.
I’m much smarter that your dad ( like, by far) but you will learn so much more from him than you will from me. He will teach you true selflessness, how to protect and provide for a family, compassion, patience, how to enjoy the little things and what a gentleman does. You will see a man of God that loves his family more than he realizes. He won’t be the one teaching you how to make a bed (that’s where I come in) but he will be the one you will have to answer to if you fail to do it. Oh! He’ll also teach you fear of punishment.
Fear will probably be the first way you learn how to make decisions. That’s ok when you’re 2, not 21. Don’t let fear stop you from experiencing new things, challenging the norm or challenging yourself.
Self-doubt is something the devil made.
There will be times when you don’t like what I say to you or what I make you do. I really do want to be your best friend but I can’t be that and your mom at the same time for the majority of your life. Just know I’m really not trying to make your life miserable. I’m trying to protect you.
You will fall in love one day and it will be awesome. You may get your heart broken and that will suck. (Sorry. That’s really the best way to describe it.) Just remember, you’re greatest love will always overcome any heartbreak.
I love you. I love to kiss you. I love to hug you. I love to see you smile and hear you laugh. I love seeing you happy and drying your tears. I love all those quirks that make you mine. I’m not perfect but I am going to do my best to get as close as I can for you and your dad every day.
I can’t wait to meet you. I already know you’re simply amazing.
-Your mom (and your biggest fan)