to my Gorgeous Girl (and to all gorgeous girls out there),

There will come a time in the not-so-distant future where you will fall in love.

Deeply.  Passionately.  Joyfully.  All-consuming love. Phrases like “head over heels” and “Love at first sight” and “soul mate” will fly off your tongue and out of your mouth, into the world with abandon.

Or it may even be the possibility of lovethat opens your heart. Makes you dream. Gives you infinite Hope, as you gaze into the eyes of a new someone who appears in your life.
The grass will smell sweeter; the sun will shine brighter; and time will slow down and speed up, all at once.  And if you are anything like your dear old mum (which I suspect you are, given your ability to spread joy at the drop of a wee finger or kiss), you will believe in the possibility of love quickly and easily.  You may leap first and look later.  I wonder at times if this loving so easily has a little something to do with being in love and in awe of life itself in all its grit and guts and glory, and wanting to share that feeling with those who touch your heart…
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There may be those who will tell you you need to hold yourself back: hold the love in.  Keep it locked away inside.  Protect Your Heart.  Protect Yourself.

And there will also be those along this journey who will run scared from your love.  Who won’t know what to do with such a funny, sweet, (slightly) innocent, strong, intelligent, beautiful-inside- and- out woman, and so they will choose to do nothing at all, instead of embracing all that you are.

Sadly too there may be those who will break your heart, for many reasons, none of which have anything to do with you and your love.  

And there will be times when a love story will be over sooner than you think or will not go exactly as expected.  In times like these, all we can do is Trust that the universe has our backs, and that a new story is about to begin…
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But my advice to you, in the midst of all of this beauty and sometimes pain and confusion is to Just Be(e).

Be true to yourself.  Don’t hold the love in.  Let it out.  Let it shine brightly and boldly.

Be not afraid of fear.  I have learned, in my thirty-five years on this planet, that in the end there are really only two emotions: fear and love.  Listen to the fear, and remember that it is often when we are most afraid that we are on the brink of something new, something big, something full of Love, so take that leap.

Be brave and bold.  If something doesn’t feel right, if someone hurts you or does not honour your beautiful self, be brave enough to Love Yourself First and do what is right for you.  Trust that if you ever have to make a giant leap like this out of a window, leaving a situation that no longer matches your truth, you will learn how to fly.  And that I will be there, holding your hand. I’ve done it, and you can, too, my wee girl.
Be hopeful. They say that you need to expect the worst and hope for the best. Well, I say hope for the best and expect the best. Let love and life surprise and delight you.

And finally, most importantly, remember who the most important person in your love story is: my darling wee bee, it’s You.  You are the star of your own love story.  People will waltz in and out (and maybe even in, again); people will stay for a long stroll or an almost eternity or something in between; relationships will transform these supporting players from lovers to friends or from friends to lovers (or maybe even into beautiful, distant memories).  But the one constant is You.

Love Your Life.  Love Your Self.  Fiercely.  Boldly.  Courageously.  There will always be another person who will come along and join in your love, this I promise you.  But there will never be another You.

I love you more than anything in the Whole. Wide. World.  You are Big, Big Love.  Always.