Give me the messy wind blown hair that has spent all day soaking up sunshine.  Give me the dirty little fingernails that love nothing better than to dig deep into imagination.  Give me the tiny stinky feet that are running wild as they lead her to her curiosities.  Give me clothing that has seen better days but speaks volumes of adventure.  Give me a heart that only knows love, and is eight times bigger than her ever-growing body.  Give me the loud contagious belly laughter…  Her tiny voice that fills the air with the most fascinating and absurd stories.

I want to see the bond you and your child share.  How your hands keep her safe.  The way you get swept off your feet when she tells you you’re her best friend.  I want to see you look into her eyes with pride, and grace, and honor – as you were the lucky one chosen to be her mother.

Show me what it feels like to love and be loved.

Show me what it feels like to be alive.

Because in the end, it’s not about matching clothes, and forced smiles. It’s about the love you share.

It’s always about the love.