What I Need My Daughter to Know About Turning 13

Dear Daughter,

This is 13. It looks great on you but, I have to admit, I love this stage of your life and want it to go away all at the same time.

Seeing you change and grow and be uncomfortable and struggle is heart wrenching.

Instead of watching you admiring yourself the mirror wearing a plastic, bejeweled crown, I see you tug at your shirt and turn your head when the camera comes out.

I remember when you wore a tutu and sneakers with your favorite pink baseball hat and didn’t notice what a...