"I Love You" First
A letter to my daughter, and any children that might come after.
Sophia, October 2012. No Stealing this Photo.
I love you. I want you to know that will always come first. In my actions toward you, "I love you" will come equal to your safety, but it will always come before anger. "I love you" will come before frustration and disappointment. You are beautiful, wonderful, and come with your own personality. I will love you for who you are, and the potential I see in you. I will love you for all that I do not see, and for all that you see in yourself. That love will come before regret, fear, and judgment; I will love you even if, with my understanding of you can become, I don't think you are living up to your potential. I will love you as you choose your own path, make your own decisions, and discover who you are. "I love you" will come before our differences in opinion. It will supersede our differences in personality, and acknowledgement of your future mistakes or imperfections. Know that, because of your capacity to love and the love of your Father in Heaven, you are more than any mistakes you could make or perceived imperfections. If you are ever afraid of my reactions to something you have done, remember that "I love you" comes first. My love for you will grow as you grow, and loving you will never grow old. Thank you for being my wonderful child who teaches me what life is for, and I promise that I will work hard so that "I love you" will always come first.
