She’s Already Beautiful to Me

Dear Daughter,

You’ve asked me to take you to the store to look at makeup.

I try to take this in stride.  You’re 14 (and a 1/2) years old and will be starting high school in two months.  I know many of your friends have been wearing makeup for awhile and I suppose it’s time to dip a toe into these waters.

I know you will patiently listen to my talk about the importance of inner beauty and how makeup is used only to enhance our natural beauty, not totally change the look of our face.  And how a sweet teenage girl needs to look only like a sweet teenage girl….and you will still want to try a little makeup.

My depth of knowledge in this area is very limited, as I’ve always been a “less is more” type of girl, but I’ll do my best to wander the aisles overflowing with options and help you choose some very basic, light makeup to practice with at home.

But I just wanted you to know that you’re already beautiful to me.

Only last week we went through old pictures and school papers, and a couple of weeks before that, we watched videos from your kindergarten days.  Without those visual reminders, it’s become more difficult for me to remember what that was like, now that you’re almost as tall as I am, on the cusp of high school and a learner’s driving permit….and wanting to wear makeup, the real deal, not the pretend kind.

And today, without blush or mascara or lip gloss or straightened hair, you’re already beautiful to me.  You’re a daughter given to our family by God, His creation with every talent and strength and opportunity given to you for His purposes.

Just as makeup doesn’t define you for me, so don’t let it define you for others.  You want friends who can see down deep, who appreciate your personality and your loyalty and your determination and your sense of humor.  Don’t embrace those who approve only your looks or judge you by your adaptation of the latest styles.

So we’ll tackle the makeup aisles, make a few purchases, and let you take another step in this journey into young womanhood.

But just remember, you’re already beautiful to me.

Love,

Mom