My Sweet, Sweet Katie,

I was not even 20 years old when I found out that I was pregnant with you. I was just over 13 weeks along when I heard your heartbeat. The sound of your heartbeat changed my life forever. 

Fast forward 12 years, 

Today is your 12th Birthday. I can't believe you are 12 years old already. 

You started middle school this year. Wow, middle School. A whole crazy world in itself and a huge new challenge for you. You are my only child and totally my mini me. I understand how it feels to be overly outgoing and highly sensitive. I am the same way. We go with the flow but fear way too much. I am so proud of you for rising to the occasion of being a 6th grader. 

I hope you never lose the goofy, free spirit that you have today.  I know that you are growing up faster than you can even begin to understand but what you don't know or believe me when I tell you, that you will face challenges as you grow. You will shed tears, you will be angry, mad, sad and scared, but I will always do my best to support you. I want you to learn to love yourself first, before you ever learn to love somebody else. Learn to accept all your flaws and love them with all that you are. Don't ever lose yourself in the midst of this harsh world. No matter where you are in life, you will ALWAYS be enough. I don't ever want you to wake up feeling like you have to settle for anything less than your dreams. I hope that I have shown you thus far, that if you work hard, you can do what ever you want. I hope that I have taught you to choose your friends wisely. One of the things I love most about you is that you always want to make others around you laugh and smile. You are so caring. 

You are so Beautiful. You are so strong. You are so smart. You are so silly. You are so compassionate. You are so special. Don't ever, ever forget that. 

I hope that you always understand that I am your mom first and your friend second but no matter what, I love you with every ounce of my being. 

No matter how old you are, you will always be my little girl.

Happy Birthday Katie.