To my daughter, love yourself.

Remind yourself that it's okay not to be perfect. 

I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately. Mostly because I now have a daughter, but also because I got a whole lot more "kids" with my calling in Young Women and as a track coach. I'm not only their leader, but I also want to be an example to them.
My mom, your coco, always said, "strong is beautiful". Almost all of us kids have been into sports, but that doesn't mean that we didn't have our own struggles. She was very careful not to mention our weight and always made a point how weight doesn't matter unless we're lifting it. Honestly she would kick my trash in a bicycle spin class. I saw her work out often, take care of her health, be the best mom/wife and be her-kind of strong.

It hit me real hard the other day,  when a girl said "Coach D, when I grow up and have kids I want to look just like you". I remember being young, being a teenager with insecurities and trying to find ways to squish those little demons. Back then, social media wasn't as big of a deal as it is today. My role models were my parents, church leaders and athletes I looked up to. Today, people check instagram, hashtags and magazines and the "ideal" body image is off the charts.

Now that I have a daughter, I want to be her biggest example. I don't ever want her to have a body complex, nor feel inadequate or compare herself to someone else thinking they need to have her body. I want her and every girl that is reading this, to value your health. I want you to respect your body and ensure that they are respected by others. I want you to keep your health a focus and priority, create healthy habits throughout your lives. I want you to be the best versions of yourselves and be physically, emotionally and spiritually strong.

PC: Cecilia Harvard

You see, excuses aint cute, but confidence is. I want you to look in the mirror tonight, tell yourself that you are enough, beautiful and strong. Rock whatever body shape you have, don't let social media tell you what you should look like. Who cares if you're too curvy, too tall, too short, too skinny or too muscly (is that a word)?

I hope you know how much you matter to our Heavenly Father. That He loves you just the way you are. When he thinks of you, he smiles real big. You are not overlooked, not even for a second. Don't ever be ashamed of who you are. Embrace yourself. Love what you can do and accept what you can't. Be proud of yourself. Love your differences, and most importantly LOVE YOURSELF.

xo, Mom.