Dear Erin –

Today is your day! We celebrated in your favorite way, having lunch with family. Not much of a surprise, you received our family’s traditional gift, a cedar chest, passed down from my grandparents, lovingly restored by your dad and brother. Hours of work went into the restoration. Through their hands went love, tradition, and honor to give to you something that we hope brings you delight for years to come.

What you didn’t expect was the small black box resting inside, holding a pair of pearl earrings. Even though the pearl is your birthstone, there was another reason we chose that gift for you.

You are at a time in your life when there are many struggles girls your age must face. Society will tell you to be smart . . . but not too smart. You will hear that you have to be, dress, act, or look a certain way to be popular, because who you are isn’t good enough.  The hidden message is you must do these things for boys to be interested in you.  Enjoy activities you love, but don’t be surprised when people say you only got there because of something either you or your parents did or said. Critics will gloss over all the hours you spend working hard and playing harder. And the worst and most pervasive message of all: your God is not worth your time.

I wish that I could tell you none of this will happen. Sadly, you already know I would be lying.  No matter how loud those messages are my heart will always be as steady as a lighthouse beacon responding to the deafening storms, “You are beautiful. You are talented. You are smart.” But most importantly, I will be shouting, “You are loved”! I will shout it loud enough to drown out the din of the other noises competing for your very soul.

And I am not the only one. Your fan club has countless members.

Today was a great day, filled with well wishes, visitors, and gifts. It is easy to hear the message of love in those circumstances. While I wish for all your days to be like this one, I know along life’s journey you will run into bumps and snags and sometimes, dreaded dark places. On those days, remember back to days like today. Listen to our siren song. “You make the world a better place.”

In the quiet places, you will hear us reminding you of my heart’s resounding message: “You are amazing!” Choose to listen to those words. Treasure them like gemstones like your gift today.

Long ago, I received my first pearl necklace much by surprise. It was the week of my senior prom. My Granddaddy took me to the store and asked me to pick out a necklace for the dance. This was not something he did routinely; so, I was rather taken a back. When I chose a dainty string of pearls, he beamed. After trying it on, he said, “Every beautiful girl needs pearls. You make these look stunning.”

It is a moment that I have never forgotten. His was one of the voices encouraging me to become all that God has designed me to be.

Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs,

lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. Matthew 7:6

Today’s pearls were not meant as just a token, but rather, the passing of a tradition from one generation to another. It was a passage of love.

Oh, and for all those voices sending you a message that is in any way less than the one we are all proclaiming for you, they are hoping you will throw your pearls to the pigs. And I know you are smarter than that!

Happy 15th Birthday Sister!

Love, Momma