I can’t believe this day is finally here. I can’t believe my daughter is now a 12-year-old.
I’ve tried to avoid thinking about her impending birthday over the past few months because it made me sad to think about it. I’m sad and happy every year when her birthday rolls around, but this year is extra hard for me. Before I could still pretend she was my Baby Girl, but she’s not anymore.
She’s a preteen.
And I think part of my dread is because I remember what my teenage years were like. They were not kind to me, and I want more than anything to not see her experience the same things that I did.
I don’t want her to experience the bullying that I did.
I don’t want her to experience the self-hate that I did.
I want her to stay the same strong-willed, independent, sassy, carefree girl that she is.
I don’t ever want her to feel inadequate or scared.
I want her to always know who she is like she knows now. I want her to stay true to herself and never change to suit other people’s beliefs.
And while I’m sad that she’s now 12, I also feel blessed to know that I was graced with such a precious gift 12 years ago. A higher power saw fit to give me an amazing daughter who has enriched my life, and countless others, since her birth. Our lives changed for the better. And I can’t imagine what my life would be like if she wasn’t a part of it.
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I love you, sweet, precious daughter of mine. You make me proud every day. There aren’t many things I’ve done right in my life, but you and you brother are proof that I did something correctly.
Happy Birthday, beautiful girl.
Love, Mom