Being a first-time parent is terrifying with numerous uncertainties.

I read and watched everything possible to grasp what kind of mom I should be to my daughter upon her arrival. I even welcomed advice from seasoned moms hoping their experiences would lighten the fear I had of failing as a parent. All I wanted was to ensure that my child would grow up in a nurturing environment and never feel unloved.

On the birth date of my beautiful 6 lbs. 19 in. baby girl, I experienced an entirely different mindset as I held this tiny, fragile, bundle of joy. As her eyes starred upon mine I finally understood what unconditional love was. That’s also the moment that I succumbed to the realization that no matter how I attempted to raise my newborn daughter, there were going to be some triumphs and struggles along the way. And that was okay.

Each year that passed, my daughter Tayelor tested my abilities as a parent.

I won't lie. There were times I would lock myself in the bathroom just to get a moment to breathe, count to 10 - sometimes 100, just to cool down. I think as parents we have all done this a handful of times to hold onto our sanity.

When I think back to the mother I had hoped to be and the mom I actually became, it all comes down to everything my daughter taught me.

Tayelor opened my eyes to excepting no one person can be the perfect parent. My actions were not always the best, but my heart was always in the right place and she knew it.

She helped rebuild my confidence. I often doubted if I was doing enough to help my kid reach their full potential. Especially when I worked full-time while being a temporary single parent household due to my husband deploying often. Each time Tayelor hugged me with a huge smile on her face, I knew I had to be doing something right.

At the end of the day, it was always about giving my daughter a good life. As hard as it was to not intervene with some of the decisions she made during those adolescents years, my strong belief in Tayelor as a person was the momentum needed for her to go out in the world and become successful as a young adult.

Now as I watch my daughter as a first-time mom I want her to know whatever fears or worries that she may feel are completely justifiable. The most important piece of advice I want to offer her is to remember I had no clue what I was doing in the beginning. As long as you have a happy child you are doing things right!

I have never been more proud of the person my daughter has turned into and she deserves to be celebrated not only on National Daughter’s Day but every day because that beautiful soul means everything to me.