Hello there. I don't know who you are, or who you will be. I don’t even know if you will exist, and if you do, when that day will be. But, there are some things I need to tell you that every girl should know. First off, you will get hurt. It could be a scratch from falling on a sidewalk, a fractured bone, or a broken heart. I’m sorry, future daughter, that you will be born into a world where hurt is guaranteed and, unfortunately, pain is a by-product of living. However, you will never be truly alone to suffer it, and everything, even pain, is temporary.

Second, respect yourself. You will be told that you aren’t worthy of respect, that as a woman you should relish any attention that you receive. You will be told to take it, to get over it, and that you are dramatic. You will be told that you deserve it. These are lies. You are worthy of respect because you are human.

Love yourself, future daughter. Love and respect your body enough to fill it with wholesome things, and enough to keep it strong and limber. Love it enough to rest when you need it. Love and respect your mind, enough to filter what you allow into it, and enough to entertain only that which will be beneficial to its growth. Finally, respect your soul, enough to cherish it and protect it. Respect it enough to let love in, even when it’s been broken. You deserve to let love in. Respect others as human beings, and know that you deserve to be treated the same. Never let anyone treat your mind, body, or soul with disrespect or abuse. You are precious, believe that. Never let any boy or girl tell you that you are not worth love. That too is a lie. You are human and you are worth it. Never let anyone tell you that you are insignificant. Never tell anyone they are not worth it. You may not be perfect by your society’s standards, few people are, but standards change, and you are far more significant than such arbitrary boundaries. Wear makeup, not because you feel unbeautiful without it, but to simply magnify your beauty. Leave your face naked, not because you feel that you are not worth the extra fuss, but because you know you are an amazing woman regardless of how you adorn yourself. Measure your worth by your character and the strength of your mind, not by the inches around your waist.

Take steps to make the world a better place. Start by loving your neighbor. Volunteer at a local shelter, go on a service trip, be part of something greater than yourself. The greatest service you can do for yourself is to serve another. Remember to find happiness in small moments. Enjoy sunsets, enjoy sunrises, and enjoy the way the light dances on leaves. Feel small by the ocean and dance under a canopy of stars. Enjoy the way you feel out of breath when you run or how your heart pounds in your chest when you’re exhilarated. Future daughter, feel this life course through your veins and cherish every moment of it.