She’s confident and strong.

Happiness is dropping off my daughter at school in the mornings and seeing her smiling face join her friends.

I was afraid and inferior when I was a kid—picked on and criticized.

I beam when I see her happy in her element. Strong and included among her peers. I doubt myself a lot as a parent, but when I see she’s well adjusted and doing fine, I feel happy. My heart is at ease. I know she’ll be OK in anything she does.

She’s got this life thing down so far.

She knows herself and asks for what she wants. She’s only 10 years old, but a much stronger person at this age than I ever was.

She says “please” and “thank you” and sticks up for those who cannot, or do not, stand up for themselves.

I’m proud of her.

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Editor: Jenna Penielle Lyons

Photo: Jaideep Abraham on Pixoto.