Dubai, United Arab Emirates - May 06, 2019: 

Dear Daughter,

You are growing up before my eyes and it fills me with wonder and joy. I marvel at what a beautiful and kind person you are becoming! Your smile and your bubbly energy can lighten a room in an instant. 
Before you even entered the world, you were anticipated, loved, cherished, and wanted. As soon as you were born my world changed – my life had new meaning.

You see, I had always thought it was supposed to be me that taught you how to live but you have taught me so much. We have navigated through the last few years together – making cherished memories, sometimes stumbling, sometimes in tears (both yours and mine) but always you and I, together.
I watch you each and every day as you grow into a strong, determined person. I love the way you see the world – everything is an adventure and you don’t slow down for anyone. You don’t let the little things frustrate you and when you get yourself into a pickle or something gets stuck, your brilliant little mind starts working out ways to fix it. You are incredible.

As you grow up and follow your dreams, there are a few things I want you to know.

🌸 It is more important to us that you explore, challenge yourself, try new things, and give your best, that you “succeed” by any score or standard. You must not let fear of failure or of judgement ever stop you from trying. Audition for the solo. Volunteer to go first. Try out for the team. Life is full of adventures and surprises and bravery is what will allow you to experience them fully. Be brave, little one, for you were made to do great things. 

🌸 Great things are not always big. I hope to show you the power of a kind word or simple gesture. Boldness is admirable, but so is gentleness. Many a friendship has grown or life has changed because of something as simple as a hug. 

🌸 People will continually tell you to be a lady, to smile, to behave. These are all good things, things I hope you’ll do often— but I also give you permission to cry, to ball your fists, skip down the aisles of stores, tell jokes, and play in the mud. You are allowed to have emotions—they make us human. You don’t have to hide them or fear them— in fact, I’d prefer you to recognize them, come and talk to me about them. It’s okay to be heartbroken, angry, goofy, quiet, and strong willed. You are not obligated to any certain personality type simply because of your gender and the world’s perception of it. 

🌸 You are beautiful. People told you this from the day you were born. But I hope as you grow, you see beauty as a rounded quality— not just superficial. You were created with purpose and uniqueness— crafted to stand out, not fit in. So be your own kind of beautiful, my darling. Don’t let the world tell you what that looks like. Have confidence, be healthy, be genuine, be kind— this is beauty. 

I can’t wait to do life with you and I hope that I can teach you all of these things before you face the world on your own. I am so blessed to get to love you and be your mama. The world is better for having you in it, my love. Never forget that you are a treasure, a gift and that you have been called to be a light in this world.
Love always and forever,
Mama