I Love My Teenage Daughter, So Much
Oh little girl. Watching you become a teenager is the best thing that’s ever happened.
It’s so selfish, really. The way I feel. Watching you turn into a beautiful young woman. Listening to all your stories and tales of friends and boys.
Hearing you talk about all those things that used to keep me and my friends up all night. Talking, giggling, crying.
Now that you’re 13, life around here is different. You have responsibilities you’ve never had before. It’s on you to make good decisions. I’m just here to back you up.
Sort of a break glass in case of emergency kind of thing, and I love being that for you.
I love hearing your stories about life, friends, teachers, and anything else. You should also know that I’m on to you.
When it’s way past your bedtime, and you start telling me all about your day— I know you’re doing it just to get to stay up a little later.
Guess what? It’s a worthy trade off. I don’t care. I love hearing your gossip. I love that you are about to spend the next four years in high school, and I know you’re about to have a great time.
Sure there are parts that suck, but there are parts that will stick with you forever, too. There are people you will never see again, and there are people you will never lose. Both of those are good things.
You will love hard and you will fall fast. You will get your heart broken, and that’s okay, too. Hearts heal. That’s what’s so great about them. And they take some practice to get it right.
You are so determined. You are strong willed and beautiful and confident in ways I never could have imagined being. When I watch you command a room, I’m so impressed with the person you have become.
When you sing, you fill the entire theater with your voice. You have god given talent, sure— but you also work your butt off and practice every day to get better. Your drive and determination are like nothing I have ever seen.
I’m so lucky to be your mom and I love teenage you so much. I can’t wait to see what this next decade brings you, and I’m here if you need me, but I’m also willing to step aside and watch you live your life when you want that, too.
