dear little girl

I love you so much. I've seen you on the screen twice now, and the second time the nice lady was able to assure us that, yes, you're a little girl! ever since that little revelation, I havent been able to think straight. of course if the lady is wrong and you happen to be a boy, I will love you just the same: with my whole heart, no matter what. there simply isnt anything you can do to keep me from loving you. sorry if that may sound silly to you whenever you might be reading this, but know that it's quite true.

anyway, the news of your girlness is still sinking in. it's a lot like when we found out we were pregnant with you (and your mama said it was even better). suddenly you seem a lot more real, and we've started to call you by the name we've picked. I kiss you goodbye when I go to work and love to say hello as often as I can.

dont go thinking this is a start of a trend, but the first thing I did after we found out you were a girl was buy you a cute outfit. I really couldnt resist. thankfully your aunt said we can borrow your cousin's baby clothes, so between that and Caleb's stuff and your grandparents (who are sure to send mountains of cuteness), that may be the last outfit I buy for you for a long time. we shall see.

I really hope you enjoy growing up with your big brother. I guess neither of you will be able to remember life without eachother, and I hope you love eachother for your whole lives. I love my sister, but we're 4 years and a lot of personality differences apart, so we're not all that close. so I hope yall will get along reasonably well, and care for eachother as you grow. I'm sure there will be conflicts and hard times, but remember to be humble, to forgive, and above all to love.

suddenly I'm starting to think of all the scary stuff that comes with raising a girl. first off, I hope for everyone's sake that the trend in clothes swings back to loose-fitting stuff. but if it's still skin-tight, low-cut, almost-nothing, and you want to look like that, we're gonna have some problems. I'm not afraid to tell you what goes through a guy's mind, but perhaps your mama should explain that kinda thing. but I hope you'll grow up understanding that you are loved, that you are beautiful (and I know, I've seen you already!) and looking like the latest trends is far less important than being your beautiful self. sorry if I'm getting preachy here, but a daddy's gotta look after his little girl.

when it comes down to it, I know that all I can really do is entrust your life and your heart to Jesus and live faithfully as a family. we're already praying that you'll know and love Him as soon as you can. you're His covenant child, and He's made special promises to you and to us, and I hope will all my heart that you'll take up those promises. I'll try to live in such a way that will help you to know Him, but I want you to know that sometimes I will fail, and I hope you forgive me when I do.

we're so glad you're a part of our growing family. we may not have planned your arrival so soon, but we recently remembered that God had you and your life planned since before the begining of the world. you were always meant to be a part of us, and you're coming exactly on time. I cant wait to hold you in my arms.

love,
daddy