This poem is a tribute to all the mothers and daughters out there and dedicated to my mother and my two beautiful daughters.

Today you are three

enjoying the last days of "it's just mommy and me"

walking around in mommy's shoes

filling her heart with late night "I love you's"

Today you are five

as she lets go of your hand you begin to cry

walking around with teddy bears and velcro on your shoes

running back down the steps for one last "I love you"

Today you are ten

ready for your first sleepover with friends

trading in the bears for the glitter on your shoes

leaning into the car to say "goodnight mommy, I love you"

Today you are thirteen

now you're a teenager with growing self-esteem

tying the laces on your brand new tennis shoes

you leave for school calling back "see you later, I love you"

Today you are sixteen

trying to keep up with the changing high school scene

your mood constantly changes just like your shoes

at your sweet sixteen you turn and whisper "thanks mom, I love you"

Today you are eighteen

diploma in hand you wonder what your life's supposed to mean

your graduation gown the same color as your shoes

looking into the crowd you yell "we did it mom, I love you"

Today you are twenty-one

with a new apartment and office your life has just begun

a fancy briefcase to match your fancy shoes

over the phone you utter a long distance "I love you"

Today your daughter is three

you're enjoying the last days of "it's just mommy and me"

walking around in her mommy's shoes

she fills your heart with late night "I love you's"