Hadley Elizabeth,

When you were born, my heart broke wide open. My first niece. A March pisces with a head full of dark hair, my sister’s eyes, and my name as your middle. So tiny, so full of big bright life. 

The first time I held you, I thought of how much it takes to be a girl in this world. How hard it can be. How disorienting it can feel. And also: how special it is, how much it matters.

You matter so much. 

These letters are thoughts I collect as I move through my days and think of you. Small bits of encouragement in the form of my messes, my mistakes, the things I'm figuring out as I grow up too.

I hope that no matter what you're feeling, facing, or fumbling through, these can bring you the comfort of knowing you’re never alone.

I love you forever and more than all of these words,
Aunt Liz