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I will love you, as you, forever and ever

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Dear Daughter,

The other day was a rough one and we had to have a conversation about things that are acceptable and things that are not. I remember you weeping in my arms, asking me, “Mama, do you still love me?” My heart ached and, in this very moment, the feeling is still with me.

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Sweet Girl, there is something I must tell you.

I love that you found a caterpillar and called her Charlotte Newman.

I love that you want to have the same hairstyle every single day.

I love that your biggest thrill is throwing rocks into the lake.

I love that you think the fake deer on a neighboring lawn are real, but llamas.

I love that you asked Santa for fake glasses.

I love that you do cartwheels everywhere you go.

I love that you belt out Adele’s famous song using the lyrics “Ma Hooma Has It”, as opposed to “Rumor Has It”.

I love that you collected rainwater in a cup because you thought it might be magical.

I love that you insist on extra tight goggles, making you look like a waterlogged raccoon after swimming.

I love that you choose sleeveless dresses with mittens when heading outside during winter.

I love that you created pig paintings to decorate your bedroom, and all of them are accessorized.

I love that, when renovations move you to the living room floor, you’re totally pumped.

I love that you find beauty in a cup of dirty paint water.

I love that you collect little pieces of fluff and hide them in your pockets.

I love that you own an agenda that you write little plans inside.

I love that you hope to have three cats when you’re an adult, named Peach, Oreo and Cody.

I love that you have a pretend phone to call me when I’m at work.

I love that you make me welcome home signs every time I get back from traveling.

I love that you adore my purple tape measure and pretend to measure all of your toys.

I love that you wanted a daytime costume and a nighttime costume on Halloween.

I love that you wash windows as though it’s not a chore.

I love that you dream of spending summer in Paris when you are big.

I love that you remember snuggling a goat named Galaxy two years ago.

I love that you regularly ask Daddy to exchange our window curtains with rainbow ones.

I want you to remember that all of these things that I love about you are simply YOU BEING YOU. You don’t have to do anything different or being anyone else. You just have to be you. Because you are worthy of a love that lasts forever and unconditionally. You are worthy of a love that comes without the need to change or improve. You are worthy. You are uniquely you. And I will love you, as you, forever and ever.

Love,

Mama

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