I wrote this letter to my 16-year-old last March and dropped it in the mail. I was going hiking and camping, on my own, for nearly a week. Just in case I didn’t return, I wanted her to know a few things. As it turned out, I did return, I still love her like crazy, and today she turns 17.
Dear Addy Girl,
I loved you for almost a decade before you were even conceived and yet you have brought me more love and joy than I could ever imagine. I’ll never be able to explain how fun and amazing you were every single minute of your young years of growing and changing and developing.
Addy girl, thank you, thank you, thank you for coming home to me this year. My life was just not the same without you around.
I love your style and your mature and unique way of looking at the world and people. I hope you will always love yourself and continue to spread joy wherever you go through your smiles, ability to laugh at yourself, your art, your music, and just you.
You are a gift—forever!
Mom
A String of Pearls 
Aug 25, 2013 @ 15:09:17
I love this….. it brought tears to my eyes. You are awesome Randee! And, you are awesome Addy (and Amy too!) So glad you came home too!
Aug 25, 2013 @ 17:08:18
Crying! Thanks girls, for being a part of my (our) life (lives) as well. You are all awesome and even if we weren’t family…we’d surely be great friends!
Aug 25, 2013 @ 23:09:43
As a mother to a one year old your post touched my heart and stirred my imagination, what will Marcel be doing when he is 16/17!
Aug 26, 2013 @ 01:31:11
It’s so touching…