My dearest daughter,

We haven’t gotten to meet yet, and I’m sure it will be a while before we do, but when the time comes, there are a few things I want you to know.

For one, I will always love you, and you can always come to me. Whether it’s because you’re scared of the monster in the closet or because a boy has broken your heart, I will be there, understanding and loving. Even if you’re afraid to tell me what’s going on in your life or what is going through your mind, tell me. If you drank too much at a party and need a ride, call me. If you’re getting serious with a boy, tell me. If you borrowed my clothes without asking, and spilled orange soda on them, be honest. I may not be happy with you, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop loving you.

Get to know your grandparents. They can be a little crazy sometimes (trust me, I lived with them for 18 plus years), but they can impart a lot of wisdom onto you that I may not be able to give you. They won’t always be here, so go to their home when they’ve offered to grill you a burger, go talk to them about your life over a cup of coffee, listen to their crazy stories about their youth, and don’t forget about their birthdays. These little things will mean the world to them.

Fall in love one day. It can be scary, but it's one of the best feelings in the world, and it reveals a lot about yourself too. If you do find someone special, treat them well, and make sure they treat you like the queen you are. If it works out, that’s amazing, and I’ll be more than happy for you. But, if it doesn’t, its okay to be sad. We live in a world where being emotional is considered overdramatic and hormonal, but it's okay to cry, and I’ll be there for you, comforting you.

Always dream big. Whether it's climbing to the top of Mount Everest or becoming the CEO of a major company, you can do it. And even if your father and I don’t understand, we will support you. Don’t let anyone get in the way of your goals, or tell you that you can’t accomplish them. Just remember that with hard work, anything is possible.

With that in mind, don’t care about what others think about you. If you’re into anime and wearing men’s clothes, that’s fine. If you like sports and only have guy friends, that’s fine. If you like theater and running for student council, that’s also fine. If you’re into spunky clothing, drawing a lot, and watching dorky TV shows about vampires and werewolves, well, you get that from your mother, and I’m doing just fine. Just embrace the things that make you you and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be those things. Love yourself, no matter what, and respect others, no matter their differences; living by this rule can provide a lot of happiness in your life, I promise.

Dear daughter, the world is tough, but you can survive it, and I will always be there to hold your hand and guide you. Be happy, be proud, and love others as you love yourself. And always remember that I love you.