Leave Her Wild

Hello,

I have been waiting for you. Not in a waiting sort of way, but in the I knew you would be here one day. This day is so far into the future but with anything that needs a lot of thought (and trust me who you marry requires a lot of thought) I have started thinking of you now. Long before my daughter actually will.

You see this girl you love we created from the very cells within us. As I am sure you know how babies come to be. She blossomed out of our relationship and is a tangible product of our love. She is our "I love you" personified.

When I look at her I see my husband's trusting brown eyes. I see her fierce determination to accomplish new skills and the joy that erupts on her face like fireworks when she does. While she holds so much of ourselves in her, she is also so assuredly her own self. So when it comes to pledging forever, this is what I ask of you:

Listen to her

When she gets a gleam in her eye or starts talking really fast about something. Listen. It excites her. Manifest her energy into your own. When she is sad or frustrated. Listen to her silence. Be a hand on the small of her back and outstretched arms to collapse into.

Engage with her

Does she love adventures? Plan trips and get lost together. Be present and engaging in her passions and in return she will do the same. Does something in your day remind you of her? Tell her. Remind her that day in and day out you choose her.

Dream with her

Dream with her. BIG. Let it scare you. Work hard for what you want and the success will follow. Nothing worth having comes without determination and hard work. Become supports to one another in struggles and cheerleaders in accomplishments.

Laugh with her

Embrace the silly. Let your ribs ache often. Dance when there is no music. Giggle in quiet rooms. Reach for her hand when your heart is so full it feels like it will burst. Kiss her. 

Advise her but let her make her own choices. Support her, cry with her, create with her. Be someone she can always talk to, lean on or tell a secret to. Be her anchor when times get tough, her sails when she needs protection and her compass when she needs guidance. Respect her, admire her and appreciate her. Tell her she is the most beautiful girl in the room.

Above all else love her like we do, without reservation nor hesitation, exactly as she is.

Love her but leave her wild.