If I am ever graced with you, this is what I want you to know.
You are stronger than you think you are. There will be girls and boys throughout your education and beyond who will be mean to you. They might bully you, try to tear you down. Let me give you a little piece of advice from my experiences: they are NOT worth it. They aren’t worth your time, your worrying, your tears, your agony, your anxiety, your sadness. I know it’s hard, I know all you’ll want to do is cry when the girls at school are mean. Don’t let them win. Instead, be virtuous. Be brave. Be you. Never let their words change you. And always remember I’ll be by your side.
You don’t have to fit a stereotype. Forget stereotypes. Don’t try to fit into a mold. Be unique, be strong, be yourself. Remember that perfection doesn’t exist. It’s not real. Remember that many of the pictures you see in magazines and online are photoshopped and do not actually capture reality. So don’t strive for perfection, for it is impossible to achieve. Instead, strive for kindness and virtue. Work to have strong morals, and try to be an integral member of society. Remember love trumps hate 100% of the time.
If a boy is mean to you on the playground, don’t listen to the other girls who giggle and say that he likes you. Don’t fall into that trap. Never let a man use you, or tear you down. Your life is too precious and valuable. If your boyfriend is cruel to you, that’s not affection, it’s abuse. You are an independent person; you don’t need a man to have value or worth. Your future spouse will be lucky to have you in their life.
Always know that you’re beautiful. It doesn’t if you’re tall or short, blonde or brunette, pale or tan. I don’t care if you have blue eyes, brown eyes, green eyes. You’re never going to look identical to any other girl. You are your own amazing person.
Remember you are talented. You don’t have to be the best to be a rare and incredible talent. Become the best you are capable of. Don’t try to recreate someone else’s talents. You have so many gifts that you’ll discover throughout your life.
Learn from your mistakes. Trust me, you will make mistakes. You will regret things. It’s human. Apologize when necessary, and be a principled person, but never apologize for being you. You don’t need to be sorry when you have something to say in class, or if you politely disagree with someone.
All in all, to my future daughter, if I’m lucky enough to have you in my life, remember I already love you.