Love you to pieces.

To my strong-willed daughter...

Tonight, we had a tough night. Like, a mama locked herself in the bedroom for a grown-up timeout kind of tough. Tonight, you broke me. But after I got you to bed and began to pick-up the scattered pieces of our house and my heart left in the aftermath, I saw this paper you had brought home from school…

Immediately, it brought me back to you. And in that moment, I desperately wanted you to know…I see you. Yes, baby girl...you. I see you, and I love you to pieces.

Through the stomping and the screaming, I see you. I see that you don't like what I've done or said or asked of you, and you’re making your opinion known. I see that you clearly know what you want, and in your own way, you're standing up for it. I see that you are willing to fight for yourself, no matter the consequence. And deep down, I know this is a trait that will serve you well someday. Today is just not that day. But I see you baby girl...and I love you to pieces.

Through the tantrums and tears, I see you. I see you dealing with great big emotions that are difficult to process and impossible to contain. I see that you are feeling overwhelmed, unheard and misunderstood. I see that you're seeking not only attention, but affirmation. Affirmation of who you are and what you are feeling. Yes, I see you baby girl...and I love you to pieces.

Through your stubborn head and sensitive heart, I see you. I see that while your brain tells you to never back down, your heart tells you the consequences will hurt. I see that those parts of you are in constant conflict. I know that you equally dislike letting me win and letting me down. And sometimes, the biggest battle you fight is with yourself. Please know I see you baby girl, and I love you to pieces.

I see that through your veil of defiance, you desperately want my approval. You push me away, but never let me get out of reach.

I know that you're pushing your boundaries. Testing my limits. Seeing if I will follow through. And even when it’s hard baby, I promise you I will...even when giving in would be easier.

Because you are worth the hard. You are worth the fight. You are worth it.

I know that these pieces of you that are so incredibly difficult right now, if channeled correctly, will be unbelievably beautiful as you learn how to use them for good.

I know that being your mama will. not. be. easy. But it will be the most incredible, rewarding, worthy thing I’ve ever been called to do. And even when you think I don’t see you…that I don’t understand who you are…I promise you baby girl, I do. I see you, because when I look at you...I see so much of me. So even when it breaks me, I will love you to pieces.

Love you most,

Your Mama