Today I looked at you and cried. I watched the clown paint the dolphin on your face and cried. You are so incredibly beautiful and so full of life. I don't know if you realize how amazing you are. How you are changing every day! You have grown into a good kid. You were demanding as far back as I remember and you challenged everything I asked of you. But, although you have your moments, you have evolved. You are such a ray of light in my life.

I want to be here. I want to be here when you finally have real boobs. I want to cringe when you're bitchy with PMS. I want to eavesdrop on your phonecalls with boys to make sure you're acting like a girl and not a woman. I want to go shopping and do lunch with you and get our nails done. I want to be here when that first boy breaks your heart and eat ice cream with you and badmouth him.

I want you to have your mommy, always, when you need me.