My dearest child. Thank you for choosing me as your mother. I loved you since the day I knew you existed. I was also scared from the day I knew you existed. Scared for all the darkness, the evil, the dangers, scared for me not being able to give you the best of me.

So everyday I try to be better. I try to be better for me, because I don’t feel I’ve tried enough and I worthy to be better. And for you, so you see and will know that it’s ok to do you.

And ever since you came into this world you’ve shown me that you are so strong and resilient. And I’m so scared to break that with my protectiveness.

Because losing your sister still pains me and I am so afraid of losing you to the dangers of this world. But you persevered through it all: your abrupt birth, your hospital stay, coming home to your anxious parents, your anxious grandparents, going to daycare. And all of that with the most dimply, lovely smile possible.

And I wish you for you nothing but the best. And for you to decide what is best. And to love yourself. And the only thing I can do to contribute to that is to show you.

That I love myself. That I take care of myself.

This I promise you. This I love you.