Dear Raelynn

Raelynn,

Your daddy and I are anxiously counting down the days until we get to meet you, and although we haven’t physically met you yet we both love you to the point it’s already hard to imagine our little family without you. While you’re currently inside my belly growing and moving away we’re out here doing everything we can to prepare for your big arrival! Aside from all the physical preparations, I can’t help but think of all the life lessons & experiences I want you to learn. I dream daily of you becoming a confident, compassionate girl who has a heart for God & His people. I know this sounds like a lot but I want you to know, God-willing, I will always be by your side praying for you & guiding you so that you can chase your wildest dreams & the plans God has predestined for your life (Ephesians 2:10). I know at times the world may seem like a big scary place & others aren’t always the nicest, but trust me it’s all a distraction from the big picture. The big picture of the woman you’re destined to blossom into and the people’s lives you’re going to influence with your kindness (1 Peter 2:10).

I know the world may often try to label you and tell you who they think you are but I want you to always know who you are. I want you to know who God has called you to be & even at this very moment as you’re squirming inside of me He has plans for you. He is forming you right now as we speak to be fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14). All that He asks of you is to commit your heart and mind to Him & to trust the plans He has for you (Proverbs 16:1-4). Now don’t get me wrong, we understand life won’t always be easy and you’re bound to make mistakes, but that’s what we’re here for. We’re here to love you and encourage you even when you think you’ve messed up beyond reconciliation. We’re here to tell you that we will love you no matter what & that we serve a Father who always has His arms stretched out waiting for you to return home. So don’t ever think that you’ve fallen out of grace or that you now have to hide in shame or guilt. His grace is sufficient & His power works best in weakness. This is the type of love that has been demonstrated to your dad and I & it’s the same love that is extended to you. Aside from knowing that we could never stop loving you, I want you to know that He won’t as well.

That was heavy, I know. But it’s my heart’s desire that you don’t make the same mistakes I did. I want you to grow up to be so much stronger and confident than I was. Because of this desire, it may seem at times that we’re being hard on you or not letting you live your life, but I promise you one day you’ll understand. Most of our time together won’t be filled with these tough conversations though. In fact when I found out you were a little princess all I could think about was all the Disney Princess movies we’re going to watch together or all the tea parties and dress up games we’re going have together. I especially can’t wait until you become old enough to have mani/pedi days or go on shopping trips. Your dad is a basketball fanatic, so I’m sure he’s anticipating the days you start walking so he can drag you to the basketball court to dribble the ball with him. What he probably doesn’t know yet is that you’ll probably convince him to take you down the Barbie aisle to “look” at a new doll when you two were only supposed to be out for milk, and being the awesome man he is he’ll probably cave in.

If you can’t tell, we’re absolutely ecstatic for your arrival and we want you to always remember that we love you more than you can ever imagine.

xoxo.