Sweet Sixteen.

For my daughter on her 16th birthday.

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Before the world knew your name,

I did.

Before anyone saw your beauty,

heard your laugh, or

watched you become the girl standing here today--

You were already my miracle.

You were the first heartbeat I carried outside my own.

The first pair of eyes that looked at me.

Looked at me and changed who I was forever.

Before you,

I was just me.

After you,

I was mom.

And no one tells you.

No one tells you how much a daughter teaches a mother.

They tell you about the sleepless nights.

They tell you about the sacrifices.

They tell you about everything you'll give.

But, they never tell you how much you'll receive.

How one tiny hand can hold your entire reason for living.

How one little voice calling your name can make you stronger.

Stronger than you ever planned to be.

I have watched you bloom in every season.

The little girl who needed my arms;

became the young woman who now teaches me.

Teaches me new ways to love.

And sometimes I look at you and search for that little girl;

The one who reached for me,

who laughed without worry,

who thought I knew everything.

Then I find her. She's still there.

She's in your smile.

Your kindness.

Your stubbornness.

Your fire.

Your beautiful heart.

Sixteen years ago,

you were placed into my arms.

But the truth is,

you were never mine to keep.

You were mine to guide.

Mine to protect.

Mine to cheer for as you become everything ...

... everything you were always meant to be.

So if life ever gets heavy,

If the world ever makes you question yourself,

remember this:

Before anyone else loved you,

I loved you.

And there is no version of you--

no age,

no mistake,

no distance,

no season--

where you stop being the first dream of mine that came true.

Happy Sweet Sixteen, Baby Girl.

Thank You for making me a mother.

Thank You for being my first hello to a love that lasts forever.

-Mom.

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