Checking in

Hey girl,

How are you really? It’s been long since I checked in. Are you okay? My apologies I have not been around to go through this life with you. This year has been one of the toughest for you, from child birth to raising a small human and still taking care of the toddler,how have you been keeping it all together? From working on negative sleep, handling your office work, having time for your kids and family and still have space for catch up with friends. I heard that there’re days you could skip to shower and so is your kids. I ask again, how are you really? There are some silent battles you are fighting that no one knows about but still manage to keep your head above water. How are you not drowning? How are you still showing up so strong? This year you turned 30 in August. How’s third floor like?Any lessons you’ve picked up? Are there any you can share with your 20 year old self? Let’s shelf this for another day. What’s your current favorite food to eat? What music are you into that is if you’re getting time for that? What are you currently watching? How many melt downs have you had so far? I ain’t judging but I feel like with all that you are going through, you can’t miss at least one. How’s motherhood? Is it as fulfilling? Is it consuming you? Are you enjoying marriage? Do you feel loved and appreciated? Where’s your head space at? Do you still love your husband? Do you have time for yourself? How’s the relationship between you and yourself? How often do you bring yourself home? Where is HOME for you? Is it a place? Is it in your Children? Is it your husband? Is it your place of work? Have you made any meaningful friendships this year? Have you achieved any of your goals? Even just one? What are you currently into? What’s your obsession? What is giving you peace? What is making you feel alive? Have you by any chance lost yourself? There’s a possibility with all that you’re going through. Do you plan on bringing yourself home? What are you dying to do but have no time for or the mum guilt in you can not allow you to? Are you putting yourself out there? Are you more that just a mother, wife and employee or you’re letting all these titles consume you? Are you HAPPY ? I believe today was your anniversary, how was it? Was the day fulfilling or I stop it with the questions? How’s your relationship with your family and in-laws? To be honest, my apologies I haven’t been there for you when you needed me most. I promise to do better, I promise to walk by you and with you. I promise to be there beside you every step of the way. You will never walk alone going forward. Tomorrow we begin a fresh page.you’re stronger than you think. All I wish for you is inner peace and genuine happiness. You at least owe that to yourself . You can’t pour from an empty cup, your children needs a happy mother.

Dear Motherhood🤍🤍🤍….

Dear Motherhood,

This is a collection of ‘one time’s that have made up my entire life; of stories and moments that I will carry with me forever. This is an acknowledgment for your

resilience, for finding everything to give to me even when we had nothing. To your kindness and empathy, for hearing the hurt in my teenage heart, even though I know you had burdens bigger than mine. For the weight in your words that travelled across an ocean to remind me, when I thought that everything had fallen apart, that “everything will work out because it has to.”

Thank you for leading by example, for being a role model and a teacher at the same time. Thank you for your forgiveness and your dedication. For being open-minded and growing with me even when it felt like we were growing apart. I know that the generations between us change the way we see the same problems.

Thank you for answering the phone, even if it had been years since we last spoke. For remembering the dates of my appointments, recitals, games, and tests, because I sure couldn’t.

Thank you for making me one of your dreams while your others waited for me to grow. You have no idea how much your love has nourished me. Because of you, I know how breath in this busy world, how to manage anything that comes my way — good or bad, and how to persevere even when I am afraid to. You taught me that there is no such thing as distance when you are caring for a child and that opportunity is a necessity that you will find anywhere possible, including a foreign country with an unfamiliar language. You are always thinking on your feet and teaching me to walk without even realizing it.

Because of you, I know my worth.

Thank you for guiding people into my life when you had to leave. Thank you for teaching me how to pray, and for always being the angel to hear me. God knows I could not have done any of this without your spirit guiding me. Thank you for teaching me patience, continuously. Through you, I know that I can still be calm in rough waters and that I can listen even if I don’t like what I hear. Thank you for showing me love as deep as this. Before you, I didn’t think anything in the world could feel as magical as your care. You taught me what kind of love I deserve and the power of the love that I can give.

Thank you for finding me when I couldn’t find myself — when I needed you most. For changing my life; for making it bigger. You have taught me that I can live on beyond my years and that every moment mattered because it brought me to you. Our connection will never severe, for I came from you, and through you, I will live on.

Motherhood does not exclude you from heartache and pain (exhale); it amplifies it. The emotional agony and pain that you will endure as a mother is unlike any you’ve ever experienced. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, babies and children do bring so much joy into our lives, but there will be moments when life rips the joy from your hands and replaces it with worry, despair, and agonizing heartache.

Dear Motherhood, I owe you everything that I am.💛

You’re one today son❤️

To my dear son, the beautiful boy who made me a mother. Today you are one.

My Sweet Buddy, You’re a year old today. A whole 365 days. I just can’t get over those words. I start to cry every time I think about it, maybe because I don’t want you to grow up so fast but also because it’s been such a rollercoaster of a year. Those tears are mostly happy, joyful tears, but a little sad, too. I look back at our first year together and see the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Motherhood changed my heart in ways I never saw coming.

I’ve already wished you Happy Birthday about 10 times since you woke up, and you still don’t know what on earth I’m talking about.

I had a gut feeling you were a boy from the beginning. There’s just some things that a Mama knows, and that was one of them for me. We didn’t find out if you were a boy or girl until you were born, but I had already bonded with you, my son, before your birth day. Your daddy and I always prayed for you , Buddy. Looking back now, I wouldn’t change a single minute in our journey, because the Lord knew what a precious, wonderful gift He was giving us. It was worth every second of waiting. You were worth every hard day of waiting for a baby.

On this, your first birthday, I can’t help but remember where I was a year ago today.

Back where it all began

You were born late on a Wednesday afternoon. I had spent the whole day in labour. Oh yes, you took your time to arrive, but my goodness, you were worth the wait.

You clung to me as soon as you were put on my arms. You had a gruff, throaty cry, but my heartbeat quieted you, and your breathing gradually slowed to match it. You knew instinctively that I was your heart, your centre, your home. I had known for months that I was a life source, but from the second you arrived that abstract concept became solid, breathing reality. I had never felt more alive or vital.

This first year of being your mum has been a wild, exhausting and exuberant ride. I have learnt more about myself than I ever thought possible.

You have changed our little family forever with your mere existence. Your life has accentuated and added layers to the person I was before, and to your Dad too. It’s as if I viewed the world in black and white, and I now see the world as if through your eyes, in vivid colour.

What you’ve taught me

This first year of your life has been a remarkable year of developmental leaps, milestones and ‘almosts.’ Yes, almosts. The milestones are exciting, but for some reason it’s the things you’re still learning to do that resonate most with me.

You’ve been trying to walk for the last couple of months; standing and putting wobbly steps together. Learning to walk is a monumental task, but I never see you discouraged by your perpetually failed attempts to take steps. Each time you fall again on your bottom, you seem calm, unfazed and so wise somehow. You know you’ll get there. You’re not in a rush.

My son, I can learn so much from your patience, courage and consistency. I’m constantly trying to rush things, impatiently looking towards the place I want to be professionally, creatively and relationally. I’m a perfectionist, so I often want to get it right the first or at least the second time. But the 34th time? Well, you wouldn’t catch me around after that many failed attempts.

There’s so much untapped potential inside you, waiting to spring into life.

Some you’ll discover in the next months and years, and others will wait five decades to be realised. This is the beautiful mystery of life and learning.

I love watching something new break through the surface, a unique, quirky interest or habit that becomes synonymous with your personality. You’re a true individual. You don’t know what comparison is. You have no interest in grades, standards or meeting developmental milestones ‘on time’.

I can promise you this, my Miles: I promise to treasure every second from here on out. I promise to truly experience those moments. Even when it’s hard, and even when you’re so fussy that I just want to scream. Even on the hardest of days, I’m going to remember every second, every emotion, every fear, and every joy. I’m going to savor every new thing  you do and every milestone we reach. Sometimes life happens way too fast for my heart and soul to process, but I’m going to do all that I can to make those first days up to you. I promise to never wish a day with you away. You’ve taught me more in a year than I ever imagined–you saved my life and gave me back a life that is truly joy-filled and worth living.

For you, life is simple.

You have your priorities in order and know what you need. Love, hugs, quality time and space by yourself to explore. Food, water, sleep. Time spent outdoors with your feet and hands on the earth, and your skin kissed by the sun. Songs and stories. More hugs.

You see life as a wonderful opportunity to experience joy, to be curious at every opportunity, to love intensely, to trust and be trusted, to find intimacy, to belong to a family and a community. You inspire me.

Darling boy of mine, thank you for this first year. Thank you for teaching me and being patient with me. Thank you for your unconditional love, and your sloppy kisses.

Today is going to be a big celebration. I’ll try not to cry too much, but if they do come, I promise they’re happy tears. You’re the best thing that ever happened to us, Miles J Odegi. Thank you, Jesus, for this little life. 

I’ll love you forever, and beyond.

Your Mum 💜🤍💛xxx

Happy second birthday son💜💜.

To my dear, sweet Baby Boy:

I can’t believe you’re turning two! It seems like just yesterday your Dad and I brought you home from the hospital. The past two years have flown by with a speed that can only happen when you’re having fun. And we have LOTS of fun. You constantly keep your Dad and me laughing. You crack us up in that way that every parent knows — those adorable and hilarious things you do that make us chuckle with wonder and amazement and pure amusement.

During your first year, I was mostly just in awe of you.

I couldn’t believe you were mine. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to get to be your Mommy. But we’ve really gotten to know each other over this past year as you’ve grown into your own little person. And I am still constantly amazed by you. I love watching you learn and explore. I am so intrigued by the things you say and do, the way you see the world. It makes me see everything with fresh eyes, and that is such a gift. I can’t count the times you’ve simultaneously made my heart practically explode with love and also made me want to bawl like a baby. Because I know this phase — the precious fleeting time with you as my baby — will be gone in a flash.

The past two years with you have brought me so much joy and contentment.

I’ve grown into a purpose that I never knew before I was a mother. You’ve taught me to stop striving for tomorrow and be present today. And I’ve learned to slow down because I don’t want to miss one second of the precious little time I have with you. I want to soak it all in, even the hard parts. Because, amidst the everyday routine, when I least expect it, you will look at me and say ” Mama” or you’ll cuddle with me on the couch during your favorite cartoon or “cheers” me with your sippy cup at dinner. And I want to be paying attention for those moments. I want to be present for them and remember them forever.

You’ve shown me the true meaning of happiness and fulfillment.

You’ve helped me reach a place where life just flows, the good and the bad, and I don’t have any need to analyze or search for happiness, or strive for anything. All I have to do is tend to what is right in front of me: to love you well and be present with you for every fleeting moment we have together. You’ve taught me that my most important and meaningful job in this life is to embrace each moment, to step up to what each moment is asking of me with courage and grace and my full attention.

I want you to know, my sweet baby boy, that I think of you constantly.

I check on you throughout the night, I wonder how you’re doing at home during the day while I’m at work. I fret over whether you’re eating enough nutritious food, getting enough social interaction, enough learning time and time outside to roam and play. I dream about your future, and I pray that you have a wonderful childhood, and grow into a smart, kind, and generous man. And most of all, I hope you always know how much you are loved.

Thank you for teaching me so much in these two years we’ve had together. I hope that I can model and teach these same things to you as you grow into a boy and a man and you find your way in this life. You are the sweetest, silliest boy I know and it has been one of the greatest joys of my life to watch you learn and grow. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!

Happy birthday, sweet baby! I love you.

Dear God

God, I want to stop for a while.

I want to put my pen down and raise my hands in worship. I want to stop thinking that I can write a single word on my own. That I can express a message without Your wisdom. That I can create and breathe without Your mercy.

Maybe I could live this life pretending I don’t need a savior but it would be pointless, like wandering meaninglessly in a never-ending black hole, for I am undoubtedly nothing apart from Your love and salvation.

All that I have, I have because of You. All the good that I am is shaped by Your very hands.

God, you know how I get so discouraged sometimes because, for the longest time, I’ve been pinning my fulfillment on the things that will only leave me empty. I struggle with my unworthiness, selfishness, and pride because I’ve been more focused on the world than Your Word.

I want to abandon the part of me that craves for the applause of this world. I want to turn down my self-belief so I can turn up Your faithfulness.

I want to forget my worries and remember Your power. I want to put Your kingdom first, before myself and my personal desires. I want to embrace this joy that I found in You. I want to stay by your side, Dear God.

I want to build my confidence in You and You alone. I want to chase the things that will last. I want to do the things that will bring honor to You, not because I am righteous but because You are. I am not in the least qualified but my sufficiency is from You, God.

Despite my unholiness, despite my sins and imperfections, You still look at me with Love. You look at me from the Cross with a Love that can’t compare. I lift all my eternal praises to You.

I want to pick up my pen again and let Your hands carve my words. I want to praise You and mean it with all my heart. I want to scribble words that are genuinely from my soul, not shallow poems nor empty sentences. I want to proclaim Your name on every canvas. I want to write about Your love and redemption in big, bold letters. Because there’s nothing worth sharing more than something that great.

I want to be Your daughter eternally, God. It is more than I could ever ask.

More than I deserve. And more than any label the world could put on me. I want my life to be a book of Your goodness, Your grace, and forgiveness. I want to love You with all my soul and all my strength.

I want to live for Your glory, Dear God. I want to live for YOU, and not for the world. Because I am nothing, absolutely nothing apart from You.

With love,

Being.imelda❤️

To friends and Family who stand by us in 2019

Thank you for loving us when we weren’t so lovable. Thank you for being patient with us as we grow, as we heal, as we try to put our pieces back together and mend what we broke in ourselves or what people broke in us. Thank you for making the difficult times this year so much easier to handle, so much easier to accept and so much easier to get through. Thank you for letting us be vulnerable and honest without judging us. Thank you for reassuring us that you’ll always be there when we need you and that we’ll always have another family to depend on when times get rough.

Thank you for being the light in our darkest days because that’s what we remember when we look back on the most difficult days of the year, we remember you, the people we’re grateful for, the people who took time out of their busy lives to be there for us, the people who chose to stick around or go the extra mile even though they had other priorities. Thank you for reminding us that if things go wrong, we still have the one thing that’s right; your love. Thank you for showing us that true friendship will always stand the test of time and that you’ll always show up for us when we need you.

Thank you for being the reason we leave this year with good memories and fun times and laughter. Thank you for always making our years memorable because you were in them, because when we look back, we will remember the trips we took together, the people we met, the memories we made, the new beginnings we shared and all the wonderful occasions we celebrated. Thank you for celebrating with us our successes, our milestones, our birthdays and our achievements. Thank you for supporting us along the way because without you, we wouldn’t be where we are. Without you, the good times would be tasteless.

Thank you for all the times you stopped this year from breaking us whether by your support or your presence or your advice. Thank you for looking out for us and letting us know that we have people to count on, people we can trust, people who can speak on our behalf when our own voices fail us. Thank you for helping us survive yet another year but most of all, thank you for being our friends all those past years and all the years to come because knowing you’re there, knowing you’re in our lives makes us start every new year feeling safe that no matter what happens, you’ll be there helping us get by. Thank you for being our ‘hell yes’in a world of ‘maybes.’

 

LoveXLight

Imelda

Dear Miles

To the most awe-inspiring creation ever made, I don’t think anyone is able to understand the love I have for you; I don’t even think I fully understand it myself. It’s a kind of love I have never held in my heart for anyone else. It has never quite made sense to me how anyone could love someone so much, without having ever met them, but from the moment I first heard your little heart beating, mine was filled with an abundance of that exact kind of love.

In the small part of my life that we have gotten to spend together, we have been through so many ups and downs. Having the responsibility of carrying you inside my womb has been one of the scariest, most difficult things I have ever had to do, but it has also been the most rewarding blessing I could have ever received. I have spent almost every single day for months on end a crazy, miserable, nervous wreck questioning myself about how every move I make will affect you. Morning sickness, health problems for both you and me, emotions, debilitating stress, anxiety, depression, worry – we have been through it all – but no matter how hard it has been, I would not trade one single second of it because for every difficult or scary moment we faced together, I have experienced joy, happiness and love threefold.

Because of you, I have experienced the kind of love that makes me strive to be the absolute best mother, wife, student and person I am capable of being; the kind of love that the trivial things in my life seem non-existent, the kind of love that is able to pull me through the toughest times and reassure me that I do have a future, that we have a future. With every kick, flutter, movement, hiccup, ultrasound and heartbeat comes a glimpse of the end of the tunnel and reminds me of just how thankful I am for the time I have gotten to spend with you and for every second God decides to let us spend together on this earth. Soon, you will be at home, in my arms. But before then, I want to make a promise to you.

I promise to be there for you always. I promise to try model the kind of love, grace and care to you that God shows me, and will show you, every single day. I will not be the perfect parent, and I know I will make mistakes, but I promise to be the very best mother and role-model to you that I can be. I promise you I will be your parent first and foremost, but secondly, your best friend. I promise to always hold you close to my heart and to never forget these special times we have had together over the last eight months. I promise that nothing you do will ever change my love for you, but it will continue to grow each and every day.

For I loved you long before I met you.

LoveXLight

A letter to myself on the verge of motherhood

Dear 39 weeks, 5 days pregnant Me:

I see you there, rocking in your glider, clutching a pink plush teddy bear and letting the tears fall freely from your eyes as you sob. You are excited but terrified. You will be meeting your son any time now.

I wish that for a moment our psyches could connect through some cosmic wormhole. I would tell you that I am sitting here a year later, on the eve of our son’s first birthday and that even though you have heard it from a thousand other people, I know you’ll only believe me, when I say, you are going to be OK.

You are going to be more than OK. A year from now, you are going to look back on this day and the fear and anxiety about this life-altering event will be a nostalgic memory that you cherish.

First, let me tell you how unfathomable it is that a full year has passed, how surreal it feels that we have a little boy on the cusp of toddlerhood when I can still taste those fear-infused tears rolling down our cheeks.

A few days from now, you are going to leave the hospital with a 7-pound bundle of black hair, pink cheeks, the most profound gaze you’ve ever seen, and the most earth-shattering cry you’ll ever hear. I promise you, you’ll get through the newborn months with your body and mind (mostly) intact.

I’m not trying to gloss over the difficulty of caring for a newborn. And I’m not going to tell you about the challenges you have lying ahead of you. Instead, I want to tell you about the stupefying love and life-changing happiness that awaits you very, very shortly, that makes all those challenging nights worth it.

I can’t wait for you to see our son now, standing on his chunky, sturdy legs, babbling our name as he picks out toys from his basket and carries them off to explore the world around him. It’s a world that is becoming exponentially larger as he crawls with ferocity toward his limits. He is rapidly growing into a curious, tenacious little boy with wondrous eyes and infectious laughter.

Oh, Mama. You have loved and laughed and learned so much this past year. You both have.

You have watched him learn to roll over, stand up, crawl, grasp toys, throw toys, pull hair, talk nonsense, say your name (your heart won’t be as intact after that), eat solid food, feed himself, and then squeal with delight as he feeds the dogs. He just started walking, and he’s getting stronger and sturdier each day.

And as his sapphire eyes widen with excitement over acquiring these skills, your heart will break a little, because it is in his eyes that you will begin to see the young man he’ll become far sooner than we are ready.

It has been a big year for him. It has been a big year for you, too.

You will learn to swaddle, then nurse before putting him to bed. You’ll learn that the only thing that relieves his diaper rash is the red tube of Butt Paste. You’ll learn how to change a diaper while simultaneously scrolling your newsfeed, the immeasurable value of paper towels and Cheerios, how to get sweet potato stains out of nursing tanks, not to take your eye off him for a second when he’s in the tub, how to feed yourself with your left hand while feeding him with your right, how to disinfect diarrhea-covered bath toys, among many, many other things.

You will learn to let go of the idea of “should” and embrace what actually is, that life doesn’t have to look a certain way, and that Pinterest and BabyCenter are run by the devil.

You will learn to trust your own instincts, and just how instinctual you are.

You will learn that overwhelming love, complete exhaustion, utter heartache, sweet joy, crippling depression, and blind faith can all exist in the same moment.

You will learn that there is absolutely nothing that you won’t do for him.

You will walk through fire for him. You would have your broken, bruised and bleeding body swim through a sea of salted lemon juice and filled with man o’ wars to get to him.

There is no force on earth, nor in the heavens or hell, nor in the infinite galactic space above us, that is more powerful than a mother’s love. You will know that now. He has taught you.

He, our amazing little boy, has taught you so much—selflessness, sacrifice, compassion, personal strength, and that it’s OK to ask to for help.

He has taught you about who you were, who you are, and who you want to be.

But above all, he has taught you joy and love.

The absolute, pure happiness he has given us over the past year cannot be contained or defined by mere diction and syntax.

And the love. Oh, the love.

I had no idea that such a fierce love even existed.

The love that has flooded our life since she came into it is otherworldly. It is magical, primal, overpowering, overwhelming, all-consuming.

He has taught us what unbounded, inexhaustible love looks like.

It’s not always pretty. Sometimes it looks like a soft lullaby in a dark room wrapped in a warm blanket as winter winds howl outside. Sometimes it looks like tears and frustration from two people who just haven’t figured one another out yet. More often than not, it looks like soiled onesies, soiled carpets, soiled sheets, soiled hoodies, and soiled hair. Sometimes it looks like you, exhausted, swallowing your silent sobs so you can comfort his. Sometimes it looks like walking away for just a moment to collect a single, silent breath.

Sometimes it looks like four layers of dirt on a kitchen floor, and a great room covered in dog hair, and brightly colored toys strewn all over the house, and a little boy sitting on his mother’s lap, just enjoying one another’s company.

And I am so deeply, humbly grateful that we have the privilege of being his mother.

Oh Mama, I cannot wait for you to experience this crazy, exhausting, thrilling, overwhelming, amazing journey that is motherhood. Give that precious pregnant stomach one last caress for me.

Sincerely,

Future You, who is clutching our son’s newborn cap, now excited for and terrified of the coming toddler years

Love letter to my munchkin

I write this letter to my unborn child from the depths of my soul. 
You’ve entered my womb and made my life complete and whole.
I never thought I would be chosen for such an awesome task so soon.
It is a greater blessing than what I ever could ask.
I can almost imagine you in my mind.
Beautiful, happy, bouncing, flashing a smile so kind.
Feeling you flutter is a sensation like no other.
It does wonders for the joy of this soon-to-be-mother!
You create a glow in me I never knew I would see.
It is true happiness that sets me on cloud nine manifested deep inside of me!
You’re my baby, my child, my heart, and my wonder.
I pray we create a bond that no one can put asunder.
You’re a designer’s original! A creation from the King!
I can hardly wait for you to enter the world and see the joy you bring.
Sweet baby of mine, you’re a magnificent gift from above.
Living proof of how your father and I have shared our love.
I hope you have your father’s eyes
Then you will go into the world able to look at all things wise.
I hope you inherit my ability to plan.
With that you will be able to face all things in life as a strong man.
I hope you receive from your father his selfless ways.
For this the Heavenly Father will bless you, as he did him, all of your days.
I hope you learn from my spirit and let no one take it.
Believe me, you will need it in life, and many will try to break it.
But with that spirit you must have your father’s center.
With that you will be cautious of any door you enter.
I want you to have my curiosity.  
There’s nothing wrong with questions you may blurt!
But receive your father’s discernment, 
so you’ll know when to let go before getting hurt.
Have my big heart; know what emotions are and how to be real.
Share your father’s strength so you can handle what you feel.
Share my sense of humor!  Laugh a lot; it helps you through life.
Share your father’s sense of duty.  Know how to be serious and take strife.
I’m emotional, so I tell you it’s okay to blubber once in a while like your Mom.
But learn to develop what your father has; an excellent sense of calm.
But most of all the things I wish for your father and I to share.
I wish we teach you to love, respect, strength of mind, and to care.
These are my feelings, wishes and hopes for you.  
You make my heart and soul sing!
I welcome you to the world and thank you for the joy,
my little king.

LoveXLight

Mummy🖤🖤

A letter to who I used to be

It’s strange that I have somehow lost track of how fast you’re growing. In my mind, you’re still this little girl who’s full of innocence, enthusiasm, and never ending laughter. I still imagine you running in open spaces, hiding from the dark, crying when you don’t get what you want.

But now, you’re no longer the girl who had so much carelessness, fears, and stubbornness in her; you’re no longer the girl who didn’t mind going out of the house with her tangled hair, loose shirt, and oversized pair of jeans.

Because now, you’re slowly becoming a woman.

I wish I could tell you all the secrets in life, so you don’t have to experience too many struggles in this world. But the truth is, there are still so many things in life that I haven’t figured out. And just like you, I’m also in the process of growing.

What I want you to know though, is that you are not alone in your journey. I am here to guide you and share to you everything that I have learned so far. I am here to support you when you need a hand to help you. I am here when you feel scared, when the world is being cruel to you, when you want a sense of familiarity.

And I am always here to hope for nothing but the best for you.

I hope you chase what’s beating inside your heart.

I hope you run after your dreams, as fast as you did when you were a little kid, and don’t stop until you catch them in your hands.

I hope you fight for what you want, the same way that I do, and never ever be discouraged despite the trials and hardships. Never ever turn your back to something that you really love.

And I hope you become a strong woman.

A woman who’s determined to turn her dreams into reality. A woman who works very hard to get to the place where her soul wants her to be. A woman who doesn’t pull back when life gets challenging, doesn’t show any signs of weakness, and doesn’t say no even if everyone expects her to surrender.

I hope you refuse to fall in love with the guy whose intention is to only stay in your life temporarily.

I hope you choose to be picky with someone you’re going to invest your time and feelings for. Because not all guys are genuine with their words. Not all guys are going to stay true to their promises. And not all guys are going to handle your heart with caution.

I want you to know that one day, you will have your heart be broken, and it’s going to hurt so bad that you will feel like the world is going to end. But you will get over it. You will outgrow heartache. You will learn your best lessons because of pain.

I want you to know that no matter where you find yourself in the future, I am only one second away to be there for you. I am always ready to protect you and pull you away from guys who are not good for you.

I hope you keep trying when life gets hard and show the world that you’re able to stand on your own two feet.

I hope you learn to master bravery better than I do, and be a good example to all the little girls who are on their journeys to becoming a woman.

I hope you stand strong to what you believe is right and don’t let other people intimidate you or silence you.

I want you to become a fierce woman that everyone respects. A woman that a lot of people find admirable because of her passion, strength, and wisdom. A woman who doesn’t easily get swayed by words. A woman who pursues something because she loves it. A woman who can do everything she sets her mind into.

And I hope you remember that when you’re in moments of doubts, some people are behind you to encourage you to stay strong.