Things I would like to tell my niece…

Never let anyone tell you that you have to behave a certain way or dress a certain way just because you’re a girl.
Follow your heart. Find activities that you enjoy and and do those. Never let anyone tell you there is a job you can’t do or a sport you can’t play. Know that once you have your heart set on something, there is not a force in the world that can stop you.
You are beautiful. No matter what MTV and Cosmopolitan magazine will have you believe, you are beautiful just the way you are.

When you hit those akward teen years, just be yourself. Don’t worry about what other people think of you – you should never change who you are just to fit in with a certain crowd. Be yourself and you’ll fall into the crowd that suits you. Trust me, this will make the teenage years a lot less akward.
You don’t have to be the best at everything. As long as you’re trying your hardest and enjoying yourself, that’s all that matters. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t make the Varsity team as a Freshman. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t bring home straight A’s on every report card. Your friends and family will still love you, and your future will not be destroyed. So when you start feeling like there’s just too much stress, slow down and take a minute to enjoy the little things.
Never do anything with a boy (or a girl) that you’re not comfortable with. Never feel guilty for saying no. Anything you would do will be so much more enjoyable when you’re ready. When you think you’re ready, make sure you have accurate information about how to go about it safely. If you’re not sure, call me. I’ll always tell you the truth.
And most of all, remember this: You are loved.