Teen-Hood Looks Good On You, Sis / Happy 13th Birthday

“Well, I’m just happy being me. I don’t care about any of the other stuff, I like me the way I am.”

We were in New Look in London, Oxford Street when you said those words. You didn’t like the dresses Mummy was picking out, or the flannel shirt, I showed you. I think Mummy said something about preparing for the new school year, your last year in Middle School, and then complained about your hatred for rompers. Somewhere down the line, we entered the conversation of what everyone else was doing, and you said the above words, and I thought, “Yo, this little girl gets it.”

But today, you’re not so little.

You’re a thirteen-year-old, that has some very lofty goals, and dude, I am impressed.
You’re a thirteen-year-old, that is perfecting her wash and go and has her own sense of style.
You’re a thirteen-year-old, with attitude, something I’m still trying to get used to.
But most of all, you’re a thirteen-year-old that’s ready for teen-hood.

Not going to lie, you moving into this new stage in life has me on edge, but unlike me, I know you’ve got this road. You are prepared. Because from that quote up above, you’ve already conquered something I hadn’t until maybe a few years ago.

You’ve mastered the art of being comfortable within your own skin.

With this, and I know this sound corny, but you honestly have the world at your fingertips. Knowing your worth, and excepting the beautiful being that you are enables you to embark on those very lofty goals without that relentless monkey, Self-doubt, clawing at your back.

Now I’m not saying it’ll be easy, you’ll be tested more than you can imagine for the next couple decades of your life. But with each test comes a lesson, and with each lesson learned and conquered, their comes rewards. And if you ever catch yourself slipping, if you ever feel like your failing, I will catch you and remind you of how beautiful, and powerful, and intelligent, and worthy you absolutely are.

I love you. Happy Birthday, Tola-Pop!

P.S. Teenhood looks good on you, Sis.
P.P.S I see you have adopted my habit for affirmations. I know because I was in your room a few weeks ago being nosey 😀