Four Years Later…

 Anna,

I have watched you learn many lessons over the past four years, and most of them did not happen in a classroom. You have enjoyed the thrill of victory and endured the agony of heartbreak. You have learned when to walk away, and when to stand your ground. You have learned that life is not fair, but God is just. As one of your teachers said, you exude a “quiet confidence” that will serve you well. You don’t beg for attention. You let your actions speak for themselves. You love with passion and grace. You are poised and walk with the knowledge that God created you with purpose. 

You learned that doing the right thing is always the right thing to do. You weathered bullying and threats at the beginning of the year only to rise far above it all and BLOOM in the sunshine just the way God designed. God was stretching you higher and farther because He knew that you are the kind of girl who, when she blooms, goes big. 

You have been a positive role model to so many younger girls. I have had numerous mothers tell me how much you have inspired and impacted their daughters. You stepped out of your comfort zone to be an ambassador for Love One International when you realized that God was calling you to use your voice to help those precious babies in Uganda. 

You have been humbled. You know your limitations and your shortcomings, and you strive to better yourself. You take an active role in committing to the habits that make you better for yourself and those around you. You have learned to prioritize your mental health and your relationships, and your future spouse and children will thank you for it.

You have learned not to shrink from God’s call on your life, but to embrace it. You have learned the value of true friendship. You are a walking green flag of a friend, and anyone who has been loved by you has been loved well. You are faithful and loyal, sometimes to a fault (you’ve learned this, too). 

Regarding boys, well...you’ve learned to stick to your non-negotiables while leaving room in your heart for the unexpected. God is preparing you for what and who he is preparing for you, and you now rest peacefully in that knowledge. 

Most of all, you have learned who and whose you are. You are the daughter of the king, and walk in grace and truth because of it. You have nothing to prove. Your kindness and gentleness speak for themselves. Your smile lights up a room, and a dance party with you is always a good time. Stay wild. Stay adventurous. Stay curious. Keep rolling in your 4runner with all the windows down and country music blasting. Embrace those Blake Lively comparisons, and tell them to send Ryan Reynolds your way. Wait with eager anticipation for what God has next. We are so incredibly proud of the young woman you are today. The best is yet to come…

Love, 

Mom