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<\/a><\/p>\nJaia, you are five years old.\u00a0 You are no longer a little baby, a toddler or even a preschooler.\u00a0 You, my little one, are officially a kid.\u00a0 Sometimes that fact still punches me in the gut and knocks the wind out of me, but I’ve come to learn that I cannot, in fact, stop time, so I have to just roll with it. \u00a0Not always an easy task, I must admit.<\/p>\n
Over the last 2 years you have taken on a lot of responsibility.\u00a0 You became a big sister, and that was a total game changer.\u00a0 You’ve had to fight for attention at times, fight for your toys and fight to be heard.\u00a0 But on the flip side, watching how much your little brother adores you makes my heart grow 5 sizes.\u00a0 Because you know what, I know how he feels.<\/p>\n
I have spent the last five years in awe of you.\u00a0 You are ferocious.\u00a0 You attack every challenge that comes you way with an intensity I’ve never seen before. \u00a0 You are creative.\u00a0 Oh, so creative.\u00a0 And you are sweet.\u00a0 And kind.\u00a0 You let others take turns first and you never complain. \u00a0You are gentle but strong-willed. \u00a0And a little stubborn. \u00a0You are polite. \u00a0You never forget to thank others for the things they do for you.\u00a0 You are beautiful.\u00a0 Your smile melts me and your eyes, well, I could get lost in those baby blues.<\/p>\n
But at five, my love, there are some things that I want you to know.\u00a0 Things that I wish I’d known.\u00a0 Things that you may choose to ignore, but I’ll have been glad to have said them, or in this case, written them down for you.\u00a0 Here goes:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 Don’t chase boys.<\/p>\n
Just don’t.\u00a0 Let them chase you. \u00a0You are worth being chased.\u00a0 And if you do the chasing, they won’t respect you as much.\u00a0 And you, Jaia, deserve respect.\u00a0 DO NOT ever let anyone make you feel that you don’t.\u00a0 Trust me on this one.\u00a0 If someone treats you that way, they do not deserve you or your time.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Surround yourself with good people<\/p>\n
Your friends will become your world in a few years.\u00a0 And some you will keep forever.\u00a0 Choose wisely.\u00a0 Trust your heart.\u00a0 They do not have to be exactly like you, in fact some of the most interesting people you will meet will be very different from you.\u00a0 Embrace those differences and appreciate them.\u00a0 Your friends will come to know more about you than anyone.\u00a0 So treat them well. \u00a0Keep their secrets. \u00a0Listen when they need you to. \u00a0Tell them often that you appreciate them.\u00a0 And never take them for granted.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 Never be embarrassed about being smart\/good at something.<\/p>\n
You are smart.\u00a0 There I said it.\u00a0 But it’s true.\u00a0 And for some reason, sometimes, especially as we get older , it seems to have less appeal.\u00a0 But that’s dumb. I promise you though, being dumb on purpose will never, ever, ever be the right choice.\u00a0 You are smart.\u00a0 Remember it and use it and, above all else, to be proud of it.<\/p>\n