Dear Piper...

http://www.inspiremore.com/why-i-will-teach-my-daughter-not-to-wait/

In a world full of questions of women's worth, sexual assault, he-said-she-saids, a presidential election of crooks, and down right mean people, the above link is worth the read for anyone with daughters and anyone who struggles to impress because they must conform to fit in.

So Dear Piper,

Be your own person.

Be a lady.

Please....
Key word is a lady... Be classy, be kind, be a good person, and love Jesus.

Wear appropriate clothing.
Just because society says these short mini dresses are cute does not mean you should wear them...
I really don't want to see more than a dollar bill's length above your knee without some sort of leggings underneath.
Be modest.
Be lovely.
Be a lady.

Be beautiful from the inside out.

Don't be ashamed to love Jesus.
Don't be ashamed to skip the party to go to church.
Don't be embarrassed to use your parents as an excuse not to go somewhere you know you shouldn't.
You don't have to be the party girl.
You don't have to be the "popular" girl.
Be you.
Be lovely.
Be kind.
Be your own person.
In a world of Kardashians, be a Jojo.
Be your own kind of lovely.
Be your own kind of nice.
Be your own kind of beautiful.

Be raw.
Be real.
Be true to yourself and your emotions.
Be respectful... of yourself, others, and your family.

Here's a hint about these boys you don't have to wait on to give you self affirmation and sweep in and save you.
...if he doesn't respect your parents' rules or your rules for that matter, he's not worth your time nor your tears nor you whatsoever.
Do wait for THE boy- ideally the man- who will respect your parents' rules, boundaries, and requests whether it be that he doesn't wear his hat at the table or curfew, for he will equally respect your worth.
He will respect your time, your heart, and value your true self.
Just ask your daddy... I waited for the man who would respect my parents' rules and requests.
My typical curfew was 10pm under their roof. He had me home by 9:45/9:50.
Simple things like that will hint to their true character and true intentions.

Learn to be fully you before you learn to be someone's other half.

Learn what it's like to be yourself.

Be fully you.
Be completely lovely.
Be utterly beautiful inside and out.
Be undoubtedly real.
Be committed to being classy and kind to others.

You own those descisions to be those things.
That's what I hope for you.
It's your responsibility to own those things along with your emotions.
Own it baby girl.
Rock it.

Above all else, be you...
for you is kind, you is smart, and you is important...

And we will remind you that everyday.