I am a mom of daughters and only daughters. 

By “only” I don’t mean there is anything missing or lacking or incomplete about our family. I just mean that all the children given to my husband and me are of the girl variety.

I don’t know what it’s like to have little boys running around the house, yelling and climbing on things and jumping off things and tackling things and wrestling each other and having bodily-noise contests.

I’ll never know what it’s like to have a strong, strapping son who’s protective of his mama and who walks me down the aisle when he gets married. 

But oh, I do know what it’s like to have a daughter.

I know what it’s like to hear the doctor announce, “It’s a girl!” and to feel a piece of your heart you didn’t know was waiting for anything fall into place.

I know what it’s like to have a baby who might one day have a baby of her own.

I know what it’s like to kiss a soft head adorned with a crocheted flower on a crinkly satin band.

I know what it’s like to pat a tiny bottom layered with ruffles.

I know what it’s like to shop for swimsuits with tutus (finally . . . bathing suit shopping that’s fun).

I know what it’s like to nurture someone who will one day be a nurturer herself.

I know what it’s like to look into the eyes of a smaller version of yourself and to see both your past and her future there.

I know what it’s like to play Princess Memory. And to be really, really glad when you move on to the chick-flicks and lunch-and-shopping days.

I know what it’s like to finally have a use for all those old prom and bridesmaid dresses you kept around just in case you could wear them again. (As if.)

I know what it’s like to give someone a gift in an adorable polka dot bag and have her exclaim, before she even gets to the actual present, “What an adorable polka dot bag!”

I know what it’s like to be reminded of what you loved as a little girl but to see your little girl loving things you never even dreamed of liking.

I know what it’s like to have a closet stuffed with purses and bags in every imaginable size and color.

I know what it’s like to buy bobby pins and hair ties and tank tops in bulk.

I know what it’s like to understand hormones and mood swings and crying because you’ve been there yourself. (Usually recently.)

I know what it’s like to look across a room and see a tall, beautiful girl there and to realize, in awe and amazement, that she is your tall, beautiful girl.

I know what it’s like to raise your best friend.

I know what it’s like to have three of your favorite words be “that’s my daughter.”

Someday, maybe, I will know what it’s like to watch my daughter walk down the aisle on her father’s arm.

But until then, I’m so thankful I know what it’s like to have a daughter. 

I love it so much.

There’s nothing like it.

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