Daughters
“You have wanted to teach since you lined up your stuffed animals for spelling tests. Today you get a real classroom, and some very lucky kids get you.”
“All I ever wanted was for you to find someone who makes you laugh. Watching you two together, I know you found that and so much more.”
“You come home tired, but never without a story about someone you helped. That tells me everything I need to know about the kind of nurse you are.”
“I stood outside after you graduated, trying to find something decent. What I managed was a comment about the traffic and where we had parked.”
“She believed she could, so she did. Take pride in how far you've come. Have faith in how far you can go. You are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.”
“You put a note in my bag when you were small and I read it at work. Two of the words were spelled wrong and I have never had a better day.”
“I have cheered from a lot of bleachers, auditoriums and front rows. The seats have changed over the years, but the fan in them has not.”
“You have heard every one of my jokes at least a hundred times. And you still laugh, or at least you roll your eyes in a loving way.”
“They handed you to me and I had no idea what I was supposed to do next. I have had all these years to work that out and I am still mostly guessing.”
“You are starting a home of your own with the person you love. I hope you still call me about big decisions, good news and nothing in particular.”
“You may be a bride today, but you will always be my little one. I will blink and see you at five, twirling in your favorite dress.”
“There is still a drawing of yours on the fridge, and I am not taking it down. It is a horse, or maybe a dog. Either way, it is my favorite piece of art.”
“You are another year older, and somehow you are still the one teaching me. You have taught me patience, humor and how to say sorry when I am wrong.”
“You have given me countless reasons to be proud, but the proudest moment is telling others you're my daughter. Happy birthday! Always keep me in your heart, for you are always in mine. I love you forever and always.”
“On the days when everything feels heavy, I hope you remember this card. You are stronger than the hard days, and you never have to face them alone.”
“You may have your own place now, but Sunday dinner is still at ours. Your seat at the table is not going anywhere, and neither is your mug.”
“Take the old couch, the spare mugs and anything else you want from the garage. It all feels better knowing it is helping you make a home of your own.”
“I taught you to drive in an empty parking lot and I shouted twice. You have driven a very long way since then without asking me anything.”
“Today you become someone's wife, and that is a beautiful thing. But you will always be my daughter, and that part never changes.”
“I have watched you be a mother and I am not surprised. I am something else that I do not have a word for and have stopped looking for.”
“I have seen a lot of your big days, from first steps to graduation. This one might be the best yet, because you have never looked this happy.”
“People ask what I want for Christmas, and I never have a good answer. The truth is that I got the best gift of my life the day you were born.”
“Every year brings some good news and some not so good news. But the day you were born is still the best news this family has ever had.”
“When I look back on my life, every good chapter has you in it. You are the best part of my story, and I am so glad you were born.”