Written on 6-30-16
Dear Emma,
There are so many things I want to say to you, I don't even know where to start. I guess I will start with sharing something that I just noticed yesterday and that blew me away. I think that I think it is beautiful how you accept ALL the neighborhood kids as your own. I don't know how you do it, but after working almost full time and being a mom to 3 little girls of your own, you have become like a 2nd mom to all the kids that live around your house. Without you in those kids life, I am sure their summers and nights after school wouldn't be half as bright. Their childhood has been made better because you accept them with open arms into your home.
You are creative beyond belief. The fact that you opened up such a wildly successful and popular Etsy shop is seriously pretty AMAZING. I forget how many people try to do what you did and fail. The VAST majority of people who try to open Etsy shops and create something original undoubtedly waste tons of time and money. It is so cool that you made it successful.
You have overcome some pretty HUGE challenges and choose to keep on keepin' on. Believing the best about others and continue to grow as a human being instead of allowing the world to make you hard. You have remained sweet and sensitive instead of becoming one of those bitter 30 year olds that you come into contact with every day you aren't a hermit crab. I mean, those girls are everywhere. The snotty, judgmental ones who have been hurt by the world too much and close down. Not you. You smile and give everyone the benefit of a doubt. The way you hold yourself leaves everyone clueless of the things you have been thru!
You are the best wife ever. I cannot believe how many years you and Chad have been together because your love is so strong and alive. You guys have such a strong marriage and you are both so full of TRUST because of both your FAITHFULNESS. It is pretty cool to witness.
You make everyone feel special and you are wonderful at encouraging others. When I see you in a social situation, its like you are the center of attention because you radiate light and confidence to everyone around you. You include everybody and bring out the best in others and allow people to just be themselves.
You are obviously the best mother you could possibly be. You have shared with me that this summer you want to get out and do more things instead of sit around the house and you are doing an amazing job at that. I didn't want to share the fact you a great mom as one of the first things because you are so much more than just a good mother. So many moms get caught up in being MOMS but you have done a good job at keeping up with yourself and your relationships outside of being just a MOTHER and allowing that to be the only thing that defines you. I think that is pretty rad and hope that if I ever have kids I can do the same. Your girls are obsessed with you for good reason - you are a cool mom. You have a special and real relationship with each of your girls and you balance being an authority figure with being a friend in a really beautiful way.
Your house is beautiful and creative. I MEAN C'MON WHO HAS A CHALKBOARD WALL IN THEIR KITCHEN? I bet you thousands of girls have "pinned" on Pinterest this idea but very few have actually done it. You are amazing with being bold and cool in your interior design. Your boldness has payed off because your adorable house downtown by Lake Michigan screams "COOL". ;)
You are always there for me, even though you have SO MUCH GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE already and you don't have to be a good sister, you are. You are the best big sister I could ever ask for. I cannot imagine life without you in it. I am SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL for you. Keep on keepin' on.
Love,
Katelynn
