Welcome to the first of a 12-month series I have been invited to participate in — “Letters to our Daughters”. This beautiful circle of women is diverse, talented and woven together by a love we share for our daughters. Explore their links. Read their letters. They all have stories worth hearing.
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Sweet Scout,
My dearest Scarlet Quinn, The “Girlfriend”, Scouty-pants, my baby, the youngest, my girl. You are everything I dreamed a daughter would be and so much more than I could have hoped for. At 18 months your identity is just shaping and your personality is emerging. You are testing limits, but always stay close to mama. You have two older brothers and the bond you are forming with them is fascinating to watch. You are alike, yet, in your femininity, separate. You are rough and you are tumble, but softer. Feistier, but gentle. Your heart is tender. And, you love differently. There is a complexity to your spirit and emotion that is different from your siblings.
In a few months, a new baby will arrive. I must confess, I had dreamed of a sister for you–a relationship, from my mother’s perspective, that is vital to a little girl as she grows. While we are so joyful in welcoming your new brother, part of me has mourned for you this month. A sweet girl among boys. One of four. Where will you fit in? Will I be enough? Will you be able to embrace your identity in the chaos these wonderful boys create?
The answer is of course, yes. Our family will shape your character and your heart. You will be strong and independent. You will be confident and courageous. You will be protected and surrounded by love. You will always be special. God unfailingly has a better plan than I do, my dearest. It is perfect and complete. He has considered and crafted every moment of your amazing life. This much is true. You are exactly who He designed you to be, and right where He wants you. Sandwiched in this messy, mostly boyish family of ours.
In you, my sweet baby, I will always have an ally. A friend. A soul connection. A bond that is unexplainable and unbreakable. I love you unconditionally and will walk beside you, until the end of my days. I promise you this. You have completed me as a mother, simply by being who you are. You have fulfilled a longing I did not know existed. I love you my darling little girl, and every day, I am grateful for you. Loving you now and in these months ahead.
With all my heart,
Mama
Continue reading through this circle. Next, is a letter by the very lovely Amy Lucy Lockheart | Minneapolis Family Photographer.
Addy McCoy on Facebook - Absolutely beautiful.
Julia - These images, your words – simply beautiful. I’m left moved, weepy, and smiling. I’m so happy to be on this journey with you Stephanie, and look forward to watching this project continue to unfold.
Rashmi - Oh how she has grown Stephanie! Sweet Scout. I just love her hair and smile. What a lucky little girl.. to have three brothers. She will have the best of both worlds.. that super cool boyish energy in the house, and a mama to balance out the girlish energy in her. xo
Kirsty-Abu Dhabi - Oh she is so adorable. And such beautiful words from you – I’m so excited to be on this journey with you and see how she balances your home just perfectly x
Michelle - In a home full of rough and tumble, video games and sword fights a daughter perfectly balances the chaos. Mine is the eldest at 15, with 3 younger brothers. Her generosity of spirit, love of life and infectious spirit centers my whole world.
Being the eldest of 4 girls I wanted more than anything for my daughter to experience the bond that is “sister”. She has. And I couldn’t be more grateful that I have been able to give all my “girly” time to one amazing person. Congrats on welcoming a new son to your household and enjoy the bonds you will all create so very uniquely. -Michelle
Jody - Stephanie, I love your description of your sweet little Scout in the chaos of boys. I can only imagine how special of a bond the two of you will have. I can practically hear her little giggles in that last photo with her head thrown back and her soft curls falling on her shoulders-she’s precious.
Val Spring - I can only imagine the fun your household is and even more so will be in several years. I can feel the strong bond you two will have forever. She’s beautiful and these images are filled with love & soul, and so are your words! Congrats on the baby bump!
nela - o-my-god! how much has she grown!!! she looks so much like finn.
lovely letter, as always. i was so inspired by your letters to your sons, a few months, scratch that, years (already!?) ago, and have been planning to write one to my boy, i was really determined to write it for his fifth b-day, but still nothing… so keep the inspiration and the motivation coming!
love from a country far far away…
Emma Wood - Oh my gosh, I’m a mess reading this. Your beautiful words and your sweet girl…I’ve re-read it a few times now, all the while with a big smile on my face. <3
Sarah Cornish - She is a little piece of heaven on earth! I LOVE this and your letter is just so beautiful! She is going to so appreciate this some day! When we were pregnant with my son Noah we were sure we would be done with three children. We waited until our 8th month to find out what we were having (the ultrasound tech blurted on us) and we were hoping it would be a surprise but until that moment I was SURE Noah was a girl. I so wanted Lily to have a sister as me and my sister are a close as two souls can be and felt exactly the same way. You are such an amazing soul and I know that having three brothers will only make her stronger, livelier and of course amazingly as we get older our girls form bonds with other girls that may not be sister in blood but sisters in heart. I can’t wait to follow more of your letters. You have such a gift for writing! I am absolutely honored to be in this circle with you!
Amy Lucy - Stephanie, it appears as though my first comment disappeared in cyberspace, so I am back again, to comment on this beautiful post. Oh sweet Scout, how adorable are you?! With three brothers, she is sure to be the special princess of the family. I treasure your heartfelt words and am so grateful to be participating in this project with you. xoxo