Dear Emma,
At just 5 years old, you are simply amazing. Your energy is infectious, and your laughter lights up every room. You possess a delightful curiosity and an innocent silliness that only young children can have. I can’t help but imagine little musical notes dancing in the air every time you giggle.
Your face reveals every emotion, and you wear your heart on your sleeve—something I hope you never lose, despite what the world might say. Your growing height and strength, along with your boundless enthusiasm to run everywhere (even pretending to be “Supergirl” sometimes), make you so wonderfully vibrant. Yet, I know that tiny hint of toddler softness will soon fade, and I’ll miss it deeply.
So when you told me you thought your legs looked fat, my heart sank. I truly wish for you to remain untouched by a world that makes girls feel inadequate for simply being themselves. Not now, and ideally, not ever. But I know that life isn’t always simple.
Here’s what I hope I conveyed to you in that moment. I pray I got it right, and that one day, it doesn’t find its way into your memoirs where you might blame me for any insecurities. I want this conversation to be something you remember fondly.
Your legs are not just made for fitting into stylish jeans or looking perfect in a fancy dress. They are powerful tools meant for adventure! They carry you to school, help you play with your friends, and tackle that climbing wall that seems so daunting. They allow you to jump, skip, hop, and run, making every little moment of fun possible.
And trust me, you will need those legs even more as you grow. In college, they’ll help you walk to class because you’ll be too broke for a car (believe me, I’ve been there). They’ll take you to summer jobs, to the gym with friends, and maybe even on Sunday runs for a good cause. You’ll walk across that stage to get your diploma, and later, they’ll help you soothe your little ones in the wee hours of the morning.
Your legs will be there to carry you away from danger—whether it’s a menacing lion or an oncoming car—or toward thrilling experiences like bungee jumping or parkour. And of course, they’ll always be ready for the journey back home, to your family, whenever you need us, because that’s what family means.
So, my dear Emma, never doubt for a second that you are perfect just as you are. Your body is exactly how it was meant to be, and then some.
With all my love,
Mom