Dear Mackenzie

as i walked in on you this morning to discover you putting mascara on, i was overfilled with the most joy in my entire life. because although i've told you that you DON'T need make-up, i knew that you were blossoming into a beautiful young lady and you were now old enough to explore the things women explore. i allowed you to go to school with make-up on your face because as long as it made you feel beautiful; that's all that mattered to me.

i look at your long, gorgeous hair and i am proud. i am proud to be your mother, to have raised such a beauty. my heart melts because only yesterday you were my first born, my baby who crawled on the carpet running from me putting a diaper on your hiney. the years in between are a memory but it's the first year of your life that i cherish most and seeing you more than 12 years later is a marvelous feeling.

as you stepped out of the car and i watched you walk into middle school, i began to cry. you are my life, my world, my everything. you're are not only a pretty young lady, you are brave, you hold your head high and that's truly my blood. no matter what struggles we face, we still show power. we are strong even when we are weak, we are quiet until we explode, we are fun, loving, non-confrontational {unless need be} and we are we. and if i shall leave this life early, i know you'll be okay....because you are my strong, beautiful, magnificent daughter♥