Why I Want My Daughter to Be a Perfect Ten

Posted by Jul 30, 2015

letterTo my Daughter on her birthday,

This month marked a momentous occasion, your first double digit birthday. I know for you, there will be many ages that seem far more significant than ten. The year you turn thirteen which marks the official start to being a teenager. Your sweet sixteen, finally being old enough to drive. Becoming the legal age to vote or experience a sip of wine.

But trust me when I tell you, this tenth birthday is the one I want you to remember.

I am sitting in the kitchen and your party is erupting around me. Four girlfriends gathered for a sleepover, cracking up about nothing…and everything. It’s the kind of laughter that sweeps through you until there are tears rolling down cheeks and unapologetic snorts from nostrils.

Earlier, I watched you link arms and saunter across the grass, filled with the carefree confidence that comes from finding true friends. One at a time you leapt into the pool, shrieking from the shock of cold. The water was crowded but that didn’t stop your crazy acrobatic routines.

On the ride home, a favorite song came on the radio, and with the volume cranked, you sang in unison at the top of your lungs.

Later, you settled onto blankets and pillows, chins propped on hands, feet twirling in the air,image watching a movie and feasting on junk food. I drifted to sleep surrounded by the muffled sound of whispered dreams sandwiched between spurts of laughter and the occasional thrown pillow.

I want you to remember this birthday, when the world starts to enter your head and convinces you that you need to be prettier, skinnier or smarter. A barrage of media will try to strip you of the beautiful things that make you different, unique and incredible, so you need to recall this night when you dressed in crazy outfits and danced into the dawn. You were so comfortable in your skin and fully embraced the notion that you are fierce, free and unstoppable.

Soon life will permeate the untainted bubble that held you for ten years. You will experience the gut-wrenching pain of a heartbreak, the loss of a dear friend, fear over the future and sadness from past regrets. The opinions of others will cause you to doubt yourself, take the safe road, or try not to stand out.

But not today. Today you are solidly fixed on living this moment. Determined to suck every last ounce of bliss from life.

I won’t give you this letter now, but I will save it for a day when I’ve become the mom who knows nothing. It’s a teenage girl’s rite of passage and I’ll try to handle it with grace and understanding. But when I can no longer reach you, I hope she can. The ten year old version of you that still lives deep within.

giftIt’s your birthday and yet I am the one getting the gift. You, my powerful, amazing, and inspiring daughter, have reminded me about the girl we all used to be. The one we lose touch with as we grow older. The girl we still can be.

Never forget, that inside every woman exists the perfect ten. Don’t forget to let her out… to play…and dream…and live.

Love forever,

Your Mama

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”  Psalm 139:14

 

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About Jennifer Louise Diaz

Jennifer Louise Diaz is a writer, storyteller and motivational speaker. She has a degree in social work, and her years working in this profession have ignited her passion for helping women find their buried laughter, faith and joy. Jennifer’s love of comedy, the written word and storytelling create an engaging platform to share her message, both online and in person. She writes a weekly blog called “Devo on the Go” that highlights the hilarious insanity of being a mama to four kiddos. It has been featured by the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop, Humorwriters.org and Faithful Devotions. She also produces an online Bible study called "B-Study on the Go" that allows busy moms to dig into the Word from the soccer field, pick-up line or behind a locked bathroom door. When she is not writing, she serves as a seasoned "road warrior" - dropping off and picking up numerous children from various activities. She will have at least one teenager in the house for the next 13 years. Prayers are appreciated!
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26 comments on “Why I Want My Daughter to Be a Perfect Ten”

  1. Where’s my tissue box? Friend, your words are beautiful. I can hear the love and just the sheer joy of having her right now – seeing her enjoy her purity and freedom. She is blessed to have you, momma. Hugs

  2. Oh, how I hope to be able to live long enough to see your daughter mature into the realization of how much you and Louis love her and value who she is. Your precious mother did one heck of a job raising you to have so much love and wisdom to give away! I can see her smiling in heaven as I write this affirmation to you. So proud and privileged to know you and call you a friend!

  3. so beautiful jenn! Exactly why i feel sop very passionate about Girls Ministry!! We all need to find our confidence in who we are in Christ and have it resonate louder than the world’s messages!

  4. What a perfect letter written by an amazing mom to an equally amazing daughter. I know she will treasure this sentiment when you give it to her at any age. It will just cement the knowledge that she will always totally be loved by her parents at all the milestones of her life and the everyday ones as well.

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey with me.

  5. **sniff** Oh my! I literally got chills as I read. What a perfect description of that innocent zest for life that we all lose to some degree and then strive to regain! This letter will be a true gift for her one day.

  7. Inspiring and so truthful – women need to build each other up, not tear each other apart! We’re all going through this journey called life and should strive to make it beautiful together. We need to schedule our Eight at 8 women for an end-of-summer dinner!

  8. Jennifer you have a special gift! Thanks for putting into words the many feelings and special appreciation for childhood and love for “your girl”! Thanks for sharing those precious moments with others.
    It’s a bumpy ride, hang on!!

  9. Yep. You nailed it girl. Love and laughter captured in written truth. I love the power of enduring words. Happy birthday to your amazing daughter. You’re mother must smile from heaven at the thought of watching your family’s authentic love for each other. You made me cry because I’ve got that eye rolling teenager at home. And the innocence of childhood ends far too quickly these days. Love you friend.

  10. Ohhhh
    Tears are rolling down my face . I lament the innocence lost and how painful it is to be a girl. I do hope that we can help our girls to remember this time of creative confidence and uninhibited joy. I always have said when I go to heaven I want to be 10. Thank you Jen..you have given me a true gift on this day.

  12. Jenn, what a wonderful letter to give to your daughter in the future. She is blessed having been given you as her Mom. I pray that you will not let this be the only letter you write to her. You have so much to give her and she will truly be blessed even in those years where it might seem like she is listening. Thank you for letting us see what is so very personal to you.

  13. I’m crying, and I don’t even have a daughter! I plan to share this with my nieces who have perfect tens now and upcoming. Thanks for this gift, Jen.

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