Dear future daughter,

I want you to know first of all, that I love you. I don't know where we are in our relationship with each other, but I pray that we have a tight bond where you are not afraid to come to me with your struggles or questions. I want you to know that I am always going to be here for you, regardless of the situation, and I will support you and all your endeavors 100%.

With that being said, I'm at a time of struggle in my life. Relationships are hard, college is hard, and working on top of that is hard. I am at a bit of a stand still, and I was thinking about how I would feel and what I would do if I had a daughter in this very position. Based on that question to myself, I have a few pieces of advice I'd like to share with you, that I wish I could take for myself.

First of all, please do not let anyone treat you any less than you deserve. I know this is a cliche thing to say, and your pain tolerance from the one you love is very high, but please remember your worth. If you ever question it, come to me and I will prove it to you and remind you of the beauty and potential that lives inside of you. Do not let anyone make you feel inferior, because nobody can make you feel inferior without your own consent. You have the choice each and every day to control the way you feel and look at the situations in your life, and I pray that you have the strength to take charge and change anything in your life that does not bring you direct happiness.

Secondly, I want you to focus on your education. I know it's easy to come home from school after a long day of classes and just push off your responsibilities. This may feel good for one night when you have "nothing" to do, but I promise that you will hate yourself the next day when you are doing an extra day's worth of homework. Netflix is not going to get you a degree. I do encourage you, however, to give yourself a break, and try not to stress yourself out. I don't expect you to be perfect 100% of the time. I want you to get your education for you and only you, and I hope this is something you strive for each and every day.

Third, I pray that you do something for yourself each and every day. There is nothing selfish about "me time", and I find this to be something very valuable in your 20's. This is the time in your life to find out who you are, and I want you to do one thing to reward yourself each and every day. Read a book that inspires you. Grab a latte after a long day of school and treat yourself. Buy that new top you've been wanting for months, or simply don't be afraid to eat that piece of chocolate that's calling your name.

Lastly, I pray that you never lay in bed at night and wonder why you are not good enough. I pray that you surround yourself only with people that lift you up and make you feel good. I never want you to question your potential or your goals. I pray that you always find a way to pick yourself back up when you fall, and when you can't, I hope you lean on me for that support I am more than willing to give to you. If there is one thing I would say to a girl in her 20's - do not settle. Do not settle for anything less than you deserve. Don't stay in that shitty relationship that only drains you, don't settle for a B when you have the opportunity to study for an A, and don't put off your wants or your needs when you have the potential to make yourself happy. Put yourself first, I promise you it isn't as selfish as you may think.

I want to end with one last thought. Although we haven't met yet, I know that you are going to do amazing things. People always tend to give others the advice they need to hear themselves, and I pray that you understand your ability to become anything you want to be in this world. Always stay true to yourself, and never be ashamed of your journey to the person you are meant to become.

I love you always,

Mom