Emberly Laura,
It’s currently 4 in the morning and I’m writing this while holding you in my arms, you finally just fell back asleep. I’m sitting here in awe of you as I always am, blown away that I get to call you my daughter. You are growing up so fast right before my eyes and it fills me with both wonder & joy, but also sadness & fear. I truly just marvel at what a beautiful and caring little girl you are becoming! Your contagious laugh and your vivacious energy can brighten a room instantly. To be completely honest- I am so worried about what this big world will do to you as you continue further into it and drift away from the safety of my arms. How does a mom just let her daughter go out and spread her wings in the world without feeling apprehensive? This is a concept I’m struggling to wrap my brain around as I’m sitting here staring at your little button nose and pursed lips. You are growing up at a lightening speed, nothing is stopping you or in your way.
Sweet precious little girl, you are so unbelievably strong and brave. You are quite frankly the most beautiful thing I keep inside my heart. But I do need to tell you that this world isn’t exactly the easiest, and it can be filled with some pretty dark and freighting things. I just want you to remember a couple key things as you start pulling further away from me. I wish I could protect you from the big scary universe but I know there’s only so much I can do as you are already one tiny unstoppable girl. So if you can remember these few simple things, I know you will be all right.
•YOU ARE WORTHY OF ALL GOOD THINGS•
Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth, please always remember that. Never ever settle for second best. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are not worthy. Why? Well because you are smart, talented, kind, beautiful, and capable of doing anything and everything you set your mind to. You should go after and chase the best of everything and expect that it can be yours because you are totally worth everything good. There are no prerequisites for worthiness. I’ve spent far too much of my life feeling unworthy based on how others made me feel and I refuse to have you make the same mistake. There will always be someone who can’t see your worth, don’t let it be you. Keep your crown on at all times.
•BE GENEROUS, KIND, & COMPASSIONATE•
Make generosity part of your growth strategy and learn to love helping others as a way to better yourself. Be extra kind to yourself, and then go out and let your kindness fill this big world and the hearts of people in it. Despite what other people will say and how they will try to influence you, I want you to stay true to yourself and your core values at all times. I can assure you that being kind is cool regardless of what anyone else thinks. As you continue to grow you will surely start to see that many people out there are not kind nor compassionate, and that many more are selfish and egotistic. As for you? I want you to be different. Lucky for you- you have inherited your Dad’s extremely kind loving heart and my passion to give to others, and I want you to always embrace it! I want you to build others up because I know too well what it’s like to be torn down. I want you to spread kindness and love like wildfire. I want you to know that being generous, kind, and compassionate will get you everywhere you need to be in life.
•DON’T BE AFRAID TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELF•
I don’t want you to ever feel too afraid to voice your opinion and communicate how you feel about things. I can openly say I have fought most of my life to speak up for myself and for others. I want you to be the person who isn’t scared to say things. If you see or experience injustice in any form, I want you to be both brave and bold enough to fight against it. You have a voice, use it! When you know that someone is doing wrong I want you to stand up and tell people about it (even if your voice shakes) and then do your best to fight against it. You may not win every battle- because sometimes this world favors bad over good, but I can tell you that it doesn’t matter. Fight anyway, don’t fear having enemies as they are just proof you stood up for what you believe in. Be a light and a voice for good, advocate for yourself and those around you. Don’t take crap from anyone, hold your own, and know you’re worth at all times. Fighting for what is right is always the right choice.
•LOVE DEEPLY & UNAPOLOGETICALLY•
So one day you will decide that boys aren’t that bad and you don’t mind their cooties. You will start having crushes and even dream about marrying one someday. Dream away sweet girl! However I want you to always remember that true love is worth it when it’s real, BUT love is to not be confused with affection, gifts, or the romantic movie stuff. The best love is the one that makes you a better person, without changing you into someone other than yourself. Love is lots of sacrifice and extra hard work. Love is being more concerned about the wellbeing of your other half than you are for your own. Love is feeling a multitude of emotions that you didn’t even know existed. Sometimes love also means having your heart broken into pieces, and you know what? That’s okay too. A broken heart heals and teaches you lessons you didn’t know you needed to learn. I want you to fall in love! Fall hard! BUT make sure that you love yourself first so you can be loved deeply in return. I promise you that nothing will ever be more important than self love, it’s the basis and the core of finding your true love. So please don’t hold back when you do find love, sweet girl. Love is always worth the risk no matter what happens along the journey.
Peanut, you are the light and joy of my life. I want nothing more than to teach you all of these things I learned myself before you go out and face the world on your own. I am SO blessed & grateful to get to love you every single day and be your mama. The world is a much better place for having you in it. Please never forget how important and worthy you are. You will go so far and do such great things in this life of yours baby girl- I will always be rooting you on.
I love you to the moon & back 🌙
Love,
Your Mama 💕
————————————————————
From Dani to Emberly
February 2nd, 2019
