Dear Charlotte,
You're approaching your first birthday soon and I'm not sure how to feel about it. I wanted to give you this when you were older, but my heart is too full now to not write this. Although I'm only eighteen, these are the things you've taught me, the things I have learned and want you to know, and the things I want for you.
Being your aunt makes me proud every day.The past 10 months with you have been nothing short of amazing. From the day I found out about you to the other day when you were army crawling across the floor to get an apple cinnamon flavored Graduate puff, I have felt nothing but pure love for you. I never imagined loving someone so much. When I saw you be born and when I held you and looked into your eyes, you showed me what love truly is, and reminded me what it means to love. I felt so much peace and contentment and thankfulness in the moment I was rocking you to sleep in the hospital. You have taught me how to be kind and gentle, and how to love deeply. You didn't do anything to cause that, you were just there. An angel at three pounds and simply peaceful, just being there and breathing, you did something special.
Before you were born we thought you may have health issues. When I prayed for you and your itty bitty heart, thighs, and head, I felt calmness and love. I knew God would do His will and that everything would be just fine. Every ultrasound picture I saw of you I saw a blessing. Here you are now, a healthy & beautiful baby girl. We are all so, so thankful for you and light you have brought to our lives. You're a constant source of joy whether you're sleeping or laughing. Just being in the room is enough to put a smile on everyone's face.
I want you to know that I will ALWAYS love you.
If you're one and you are crying because you're fighting sleep, I will love you.
If you're two years old and screaming for a toy in Walmart, I will love you. (and buy it for you)
If you're three years old and you're being sassy like me, I will love you.
If you're fifteen years old and you get in a fight with a friend, I will love you.
If you're sixteen years old and you're heart gets broken, I will love you.
If you're eighteen years old and you need someone to come pick you up from a party, I will be there and I will love you.
I want you to live a Godly life. I want you to worship the Lord with every inch of your being. I pray that you love dance, love singing, love the outdoors, but mostly love the Lord. Praise him and thank him for each and every day. Set an example for others by your holiness. Whenever you feel down or unworthy, remember this verse:
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13
Make mistakes, but learn from them. Travel. Read. Exercise. Eat your vegetables. Study. Try new things. Taste new things. Be yourself. Don't try to fit in. Don't cry over boys. Be honest. Be nice to your mommy, daddy, and brothers. Enjoy every moment, sweet girl. And always, always tell the ones you love just how much you truly love them.
Remember that you can do whatever you want to do. If you want to be a model, do it. If you want to be a pilot, do it. Don't let anything or anyone hold you back from your dreams. I pray now that you grow up healthy and happy.
I will do my best every single day to set an example for you. I will pray for you every day. I will play house with you. I will teach you how to do your makeup. I will show you picture. I will tell you stories, I will tell you anything you want to know and I will give you advice. I will be your biggest cheerleader. I will be your best friend. We will have sleepovers. I will be at your recitals, at your graduations, your wedding, I will always be by your side. I will always remind you of how beautiful you are. And I will always, always love on you. You've got me wrapped around your finger little lady, and I can't thank you enough for that. I'm so excited to watch you grow and learn. I will always have your back.
You are so, so loved.
I love you princess,
Your Lolly
You're approaching your first birthday soon and I'm not sure how to feel about it. I wanted to give you this when you were older, but my heart is too full now to not write this. Although I'm only eighteen, these are the things you've taught me, the things I have learned and want you to know, and the things I want for you.
Being your aunt makes me proud every day.The past 10 months with you have been nothing short of amazing. From the day I found out about you to the other day when you were army crawling across the floor to get an apple cinnamon flavored Graduate puff, I have felt nothing but pure love for you. I never imagined loving someone so much. When I saw you be born and when I held you and looked into your eyes, you showed me what love truly is, and reminded me what it means to love. I felt so much peace and contentment and thankfulness in the moment I was rocking you to sleep in the hospital. You have taught me how to be kind and gentle, and how to love deeply. You didn't do anything to cause that, you were just there. An angel at three pounds and simply peaceful, just being there and breathing, you did something special.
Before you were born we thought you may have health issues. When I prayed for you and your itty bitty heart, thighs, and head, I felt calmness and love. I knew God would do His will and that everything would be just fine. Every ultrasound picture I saw of you I saw a blessing. Here you are now, a healthy & beautiful baby girl. We are all so, so thankful for you and light you have brought to our lives. You're a constant source of joy whether you're sleeping or laughing. Just being in the room is enough to put a smile on everyone's face.
I want you to know that I will ALWAYS love you.
If you're one and you are crying because you're fighting sleep, I will love you.
If you're two years old and screaming for a toy in Walmart, I will love you. (and buy it for you)
If you're three years old and you're being sassy like me, I will love you.
If you're fifteen years old and you get in a fight with a friend, I will love you.
If you're sixteen years old and you're heart gets broken, I will love you.
If you're eighteen years old and you need someone to come pick you up from a party, I will be there and I will love you.
I want you to live a Godly life. I want you to worship the Lord with every inch of your being. I pray that you love dance, love singing, love the outdoors, but mostly love the Lord. Praise him and thank him for each and every day. Set an example for others by your holiness. Whenever you feel down or unworthy, remember this verse:
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13
Make mistakes, but learn from them. Travel. Read. Exercise. Eat your vegetables. Study. Try new things. Taste new things. Be yourself. Don't try to fit in. Don't cry over boys. Be honest. Be nice to your mommy, daddy, and brothers. Enjoy every moment, sweet girl. And always, always tell the ones you love just how much you truly love them.
Remember that you can do whatever you want to do. If you want to be a model, do it. If you want to be a pilot, do it. Don't let anything or anyone hold you back from your dreams. I pray now that you grow up healthy and happy.
I will do my best every single day to set an example for you. I will pray for you every day. I will play house with you. I will teach you how to do your makeup. I will show you picture. I will tell you stories, I will tell you anything you want to know and I will give you advice. I will be your biggest cheerleader. I will be your best friend. We will have sleepovers. I will be at your recitals, at your graduations, your wedding, I will always be by your side. I will always remind you of how beautiful you are. And I will always, always love on you. You've got me wrapped around your finger little lady, and I can't thank you enough for that. I'm so excited to watch you grow and learn. I will always have your back.
You are so, so loved.
I love you princess,
Your Lolly
