letters to my future daughters

beautiful daughter, I know you are a world changer. you, my little light, are absolutely breathtaking, and your beauty bursts forth from deep within you. I want you to grow up knowing that your voice matters, believing that your words have weight. and I have a few things I want to remind you of. they may sound strange to your lovely ears, because it seems so obvious to you, but I want to you to hear what I’m telling you and remember these words.

my daughter, no one has the right to place their hands on you without first asking your permission. even when mama and daddy changed your diaper when you were a baby, they would let you know what they were doing. now that you’re a little bit older and experiencing new things, new people, new places, this is a truth you must believe, and I’ll say it again: no one has the right to touch you without your explicit permission. even when you give your permission to somebody, you have the right to change your mind and take it away at any time. dear sunshine, remember that your body, your lovely body that enables you to do so many wonderful things, is not a toy for others to play with. your body is special. it is for you, and it must be treasured and protected. please remember this.

I want you to know also that your voice has power; your words have the ability to move mountains. not everyone may listen to them, my love, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t speak them. what you have to say matters, and I hope that you always use your words for good, or to stand up and fight for yourself or for others. when the time comes that somebody does things to you or others that you believe aren’t right, or say things that you believe are wrong, my child make some noise! speak up! do not hold back!

now, you must know that there are people in this world who will try to silence you. these people will tell you that you are being too loud, or too embarrassing, or too dramatic. my dear, don’t ever let these people sew your lips shut. speak all the more loudly and all the more clearly; let everyone hear. in doing this, you are standing up for yourself and for who you are, and you are reaching the ears of those who need to hear your words. do not allow anyone to convince you that you need to be quiet. you, daughter, need to be exactly who God created you to be: a warrior, a lover, a speaker and doer, a truth-teller, a justice-fighter. embrace fiercely who you are and who God has created you to be.

my love, as you grow older and more independent, no longer will I be able to walk by your side as often to protect you and encourage you. I sincerely wish I could, but I know I need to allow room for you to grow into the incredible young lady that God has invited you to be. I thank God for entrusting such a treasure like you into my care, and I hope that we both make Him proud.

please remember, my child, that you are royalty. not in the sense of being better than everyone else, but in the sense that you are called to be something great. it is much responsibility, but it is your Father who gives you the capability of doing what He invites you to do. so don’t spend much time with others who treat you like anything less. instead, be an example and show them how to act, reminding them that are called to be royalty just like you; and speak up, dear one, when you see something that is not right. you will change the world one word at a time. we all need to hear your voice of hope.