dear chloe | today you are sixteen

when I turned 16, I was woken up to the sounds of Neil Sedaka singing "happy birthday sweet sixteen", and I've waited 16 years to be able to do it for you

my dream for you, sweet girl, is that you can let go of all the crap we, as your parents, have left you with

my dream for you, sweet girl, is that you find someone to share your stories with, and that I can be part of that story

my dream for you, sweet girl, is that you remember one day that you are loved and cherished, even with the distance between us

my dream for you, sweet girl, is that all your birthdays are special

my dream for you, sweet girl, is that one day you find your place in the world

my dream for you, sweet girl, is that you see yourself as beautiful, like I do

my dream for you, sweet girl, is that one day you read the words written here, and understand

my dream for you, sweet girl, is that one day I will hold you in my arms again

happy birthday, Chloe

you are so very loved, and missed