Today I am thankful for big blue eyes, little pink lips, soft blonde hair and a heart as pure as snow. Today, I am thankful for Kadie.

I remember the moment I fell in love with her. She was wrapped in a blanket and looked like a little Eskimo. She had a perfect button nose and was so tiny and fragile feeling in my arms. I hadn't laid eyes on her but for 10 seconds and suddenly she was the most important thing in my life. I was scared to death, I had no idea what I was doing but I knew that I had to do it because this little bundle of baby needed me. I can remember hearing her say "I love you" for the first time and how my eyes filled with tears and my heart with so much joy. From the moment she was born, she had always been very, very special. It's not just because she's my kid, of course I'm bias to that part, but Kadie honestly had a way about her that is hard not to fall in love with, for such a little girl she has such a big heart.

All too often when I look at her I see myself, I know how she's feeling and I understand the thoughts going through her head. Sometimes I stay up at night while she's curled up beside me and I wonder how she'll be when she's older. I always pray she doesn't lose sight of herself and that she keeps goals and doesn't let that big heart of hers stray her from her path in life. This evening I couldn't help but want to hug her and just tell her all the things I want for her, but, she wouldn't understand all of that right now. So perhaps I will start here and maybe several years from now I'll stumble back upon this and she'll get to hear it for herself.

Dearest Daughter,

You are such a ray of light, you can bring so much life to a room with just your smile and laugh and I know as you grow that will grow with you. While your desire for attention is understandable I want you to know that I know without a doubt you will always be the girl who can walk into a room and draw attention from every corner, your personality and wit is truly one of a kind. I have never met such an empathetic 4 year old. I pray you hold onto that, and while I know emotions can be overwhelming, I hope that your loving heart is able to touch others and I hope you are such a gracious giver. I want you to remember how precious love is and I hope you find it, fall completely in it and I hope you never have a broken heart. Sadly, broken hearts tend to come with teenage territory so if you do find yourself picking up the pieces I hope you're not too prideful to let me help you glue it back together. I hope you keep a positive outlook on life, the world is so big and full of opportunity and I hope you are able to embrace and appreciate that. I want you to chase your dreams, no matter how silly, your happiness is worth it. I hope you never settle for less than your own personal perfection, there are no limits to what you can have if you set your mind and heart to something equally. I pray you put The Lord at the center of your life and that you live your life that way. Today it is so easy to put faith aside but you are not like every other girl, you are strong enough to be faithful and I trust you will follow that path. I hope you never let anyone change your weird nerdy quirks, you are such a wonderful mix of things and it makes you very special. I hope you always go out of your way to understand and help others, even now your compassion is just astounding and I hope it grows with you and you allow it to branch out and touch others. Above all of this I hope you know how loved you are, how precious you are and how much this life can hold for you. I will always be here if you need me, I will never judge you and I will always support you and try to guide you through life as a loving Mother should, and will do everything in my power to make you proud and set a good example.

You will always be my princess.

With love from,
Mommy.