For my daughter on her sixteenth birthday.

Tomorrow, you will be 16 years old, and I still cannot believe it!  Time has gone so fast from the day I brought you home from the hospital until now.

I think it would be impossible for me to describe how much you mean to me.  You have a very special place in my heart.  Sometimes when I look at you now, I wonder where is my little girl.  You have grown up so fast, and I am so proud of who you are and the person you are growing to be.

I have a few things I want you to know as you continue to grow and venture out on your own more.

~You have to enjoy the innocence of childhood.  You only get one chance to be a child.

~Being smart is the new cool, and you are one of the smartest, coolest people I know.

~You do not have to know what you want to be when you grow up, just be who you are today.

~You are you so accept yourself for who you are and embrace that.

~You are one-of-a-kind and that is why you are so special.

~Always have confidence in yourself.

~Letting go and giving up are not the same things.

~When you find something you love to do, do it!

~Act from a place of kindness and compassion.

~Blasting music really can make the day better.

~Credit cards are not going to get you anywhere but behind.

~Spending time with you reminds me how special you are.

~You are a fantastic example of what a 16-year-old girl should be.

~Please learn this, you may hear that diamonds are a girl's best friend but let me tell you, a diamond is not your best friend unless you buy it for yourself!

~Please do not ever let anyone consider you their property and never depend 100% on anyone else.  Make your own money and your own rules.  A broken heart will hurt more than a broken bone but you get to decide if the break makes your heart stronger or weaker.

Happy birthday to my sweet daughter.  I am so grateful for you every day.  I wish you all the best because you deserve nothing less than the best.  I love you, mom.