Nothing can prepare you for parenthood. You can read all of the books. You can read all of the blogs. You can ask your friends all of the questions. None of those things matter.

Perhaps the thing I was most unprepared for was how much I would love my daughters. I thought I had known love before becoming a mom. I was wrong. I had never experienced a love quite as powerful as this.

Being the mom of two teenage girls is often exhausting, daunting, and painful. Nobody can hurt your feelings quite like your children can.

Despite all of this, I would move mountains for them. I would work 3 jobs if it meant giving them the life they deserved.

To my daughters, I want you both to know:

• That I have loved you from the very beginning, and every single day since.
• That nobody on earth will ever love you as much as I do, no matter what anyone tells you.
• That I want you to experience all that life has to offer, and I will try my best to make that happen.
• That my greatest joy has been watching you grow and learn.
• That I will always be your #1 fan, even when you make me mad.
• That you will have your heart broken many times, and I will be there each time to hug you and wipe away your tears.
• That even though it seems like I don’t know much, I have so much to teach you about life and love.
• That on the hardest days, I want you to call me so I can make it better.
• That my biggest accomplishment in life has been being your mom.
• That I worry about you every single minute of every single day.
• That I can’t sleep until I know you’re safe.
• That I think you are the most beautiful creature to ever live.
• That I am endlessly proud of you.
• That you deserve the best of everything, and I hope you never accept less.
• That you could never disappoint me.
• That the world is much brighter with you in it.

Someday, when you have children of your own, all of these things will make sense to you. Until then, please know that this momma loves you very much.