Dear Adelai |10 Months| : You're Beautiful

Dear Adelai,

It's pretty amazing how much my your aunts and uncles adore you. We spent your first holiday season with your Grandma and Grandpa Whipple and your aunts and uncles on that side of the family. Everyone gave you so much attention, and your Aunt Hannah said that one of the best parts of her trip was kissing the adorable cheeks on the cutest niece ever. Complements like this were constant and it made me feel good to be your mom and to have others love you so much. I hope you can always know you are beautiful!

When I was a young girl, maybe around 10 years old, I wrote in my journal that I didn't want to change anything about my body. What freedom it was for me to feel that way! As the years passed, I slowly started to listen to some lies and felt that I needed to change certain aspects of my body. It has been a big work in progress as I have come to love my body unconditionally. I hope you can love yourself throughout your life, and if you have moments of doubt, come talk to me and I'll help you get back on track.

One of the best ways I remind myself how amazing I am is through positive self talk and affirmations. It always helps me to hear others talk highly of themselves, so I thought it would be neat for you to read what I love about myself, so that you can feel confident in feeling good about yourself too.

I love my blue eyes and love that I passed them onto you.

I love that I am short and have short legs because your dad will always be taller than me and there is less leg to shave.

I really do like my hair and enjoy the fact that I've never changed its color.

I love that I am strong and can hike and run and stand on my head.

I love the scars on my body because they remind me of the experiences I've had.

I don't love the wrinkles on my face yet, but I am learning to accept them and love them, for they are reminders of what I've been through and the hard times I have had in my life. They remind me of my Grandma Virginia Whipple. She said she got wiser with every new wrinkle and I loved her for her confidence in herself!

Now it's your turn. What things do you love about yourself?

You are beautiful.

You are darling.

You are smart.

Tell yourself this everyday. Not in a prideful sort of way, but a confident and loving way.

I love you forever,

Mom

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