A letter to my cousin: Enjoy your 16 year old’s birthday – You did it!

Dear Cousin,

I know things are really crazy right now. You’re probably trying to make sure everyone is dressed, has what they need, looks great & feels great. You’re prepping your little girl making sure her hair, makeup and dress are just as perfect as she envisioned. You’re wondering if the DJ will be there on time, if the venue will be perfectly decorated and if all the guests will commit to their replies. 

You might even be a little nervous. You’re nervous that something may go wrong, no one will show up, you’ll forget something.

Or maybe what you’re really nervous about…is that today ‘officially’  marks the day that your little girl is truly growing into her own.  Sooner than you can be prepared for she will be off into her  journeys, traveling the world with nothing but the values, the morals and the teachings you tried your hardest to cram into a mere 16 years. And you’re wondering if it’s enough.  Did I do enough? Was I enough?

Soon she will have to make her own decisions and she will have to bear her own consequences and there comes a time when Mommy can’t protect her no more. And we’re moms, and we always wonder if what we did was ever enough to ensure that they make the right decisions. The truth is, can we ever really and truly be prepared to let them go? Can we ever  truly teach them every little thing they need to know. And can we ever really and truly make sure their lives’ will be perfect?

But THEY tell is that nothing is perfect. To just try our best…

However, Judy, THEY are wrong…  Because there is one true and perfect thing… Your love. The love you share with her. The love she returns. That love that was created from the moment she was born of you is the very love that should comfort you to know that everything you gave her, everything you taught her and everything she knows is exactly what she needs to continue to grow in to the beautiful, young woman she’s becoming.

Your LOVE IS and ALWAYS WILL BE enough.

There’s nothing more perfect than the bond that a mother and child share. And today I can’t wait to celebrate you and the bond that you have with Becky. Congratulations on your journey together.  You did an amazing job at traveling this life with her thus far. And there’s no doubt in my mind that she will continue to make you proud.

I know this because I know for certain that your love is enough.

Don’t forget to enjoy this party. You deserve it just as much!

oxo, Chastity