To Raegan, my first-born daughter,
You are the one who I prayed for. I continuously prayed and ask that the Lord bless me with an amazing daughter, who was healthy, happy, whole, intelligent, driven, curious with a thirst to want to learn and grow, and would have her fathers eye lashes, eyebrows, and hands and feet.
The Lord blessed me with all of that and more!
I remember January 7, 2010 at 3:03pm like it was yesterday. I was overcome with so many emotions and it was truly love at first sight. I counted your fingers and toes on your right side and your dad counted them on your left. You were perfect! Perfect for me and to me!
You are the one who change my mind so many times on motherhood and unconditional love. You taught me so much about myself and made me want strive to be the best me I can be. I strive each day to be an example for you and even on days where I fall short and make mistakes, I hope and pray you see beyond that and know it is all coming from a place of love and growth.
I know sometimes you feel I may be hard on you or nit-pick about small things like making up your bed, putting your shoes up, and more. I just want to push you and guide you to being your best self. I want you know that the small things matter and small things add up to big things eventually. I am just trying to teach you things you will use in the future and may make your life go a little more smoothly. I hope you understand it is all done out of love and you may not understand it now but when you get older, you will. Trust me, my mom said the same thing to me and I didn’t believe it but when I got older, I actually did understand.
I may not always get being a mother “right” or always do or say the “right” thing but please know I am trying the best I can. No mom is perfect but we strive to be as close to it as possible. I strive to be an example for you to look up to and to learn from. To be that listening ear, shoulder to cry on, open arms to comfort, and more.
So, moving on, you have officially joined the double digits club! You were born 10 years ago and that is:
1 whole decade 3,650 days and nights
120 months 521 weeks
87,600 hours 5,256,000 minutes
WOW!!!!
Since you are 10, here are 10 things I want you to know:
(1) I love how determined you are.
2) I love how you don’t limit yourself and stop yourself from dreaming, using your imagination, and going after what your heart desires.
(3) I appreciate and love how you strive to do your best.
(4) I truly believe that you are going to do some amazing things in your lifetime. Things that most people only dream of.
(5) I love that you love to travel and have this zest to see the world and learn about other cultures.
(6) I want you to know that you are valuable and worthy. Don’t ever let someone tell you otherwise. You are intelligent, caring, beautiful, and bold! Don’t ever let anyone take your joy and desire to be and achieve more. Let your light shine always!
(7) I want you to know that life will be hard, there will be highs and lows, disappointments and successes, and tests that will make you second guess choices you’ve made and even make you question your faith. Just remember that you have all the ability within you to get through any troubled times, to enjoy the good and great times, and overcome any obstacles you may face.
(8) You are beautiful inside and out.
(9) You are silly and funny, which are also great traits to have. Laughing and helping others laugh is important. Just like the quotes say, “Life is better when your laughing… so laugh until you’re belly hurts and then just a little bit more.”
(10) I love you so much and I am very proud of you! You are an example of what a great daughter can be and what parents wish their daughters were. I am glad Rylee has you to look up to. You are truly a gift from God and an answered prayer.
Raegan, I look forward to being your forever best friend, dancing to our favorite songs, singing at the top of our lungs, laughing at our corny jokes, continuing to learn from you, watching movies and shows together, and just being your mother. I thank God for you!
I love you infinity + infinity Raegan!
Happy 10th Birthday!
Love,
Mommy
