Dear Future Daughter

Dear future daughter,

I honestly hope this blog is still a thing when you come around. And I pray that when you come into this world it will be a different world than your father and I live in today. Where young girls can grow up to be presidents, and be seen for something other than their bodies. Today Donald Trump was elected president. I know you'll read about him in your history books, and at this point there won't be much to read besides how everything's "gonna be HUGE". Know that your father and I didn't vote for that man to go into office. And who knows, maybe he'll do great things. But because of some of the things he's done, and said, and the way he portrays himself, your father and I could not bring ourselves to vote for him. 

Oh, but daughter, I have learned so much from this election. I have so many things I want to say, but for now I will keep it to the lessons you should learn before you are put into this situation someday.

1) You don't have to vote for the lesser of two evils. Both of the candidates in this election were not what I believe this country needed. Neither of them were what I wanted, and so I voted for a third party, and I am proud of that choice.

2) Vote. I don't care who for, but if you are old enough, and you are able, you better get voting. We, as women, were not always allowed to do so (as I hope you already know). Hopefully your history books still teach you about Susan B Anthony. She didn't get the chance to vote in her lifetime, but she fought tooth and nail to change that for future generations. Because of her and so many other women, we now have the privilege to vote. So if you don't do it, you know me and your Mimi are gonna come at ya, and it ain't gonna be pretty.

3) Don't you EVER keep your mouth shut when someone touches you in a way you do not approve of. I don't care if he/she is president of the United States of America. You scream at the top of your lungs. You hit them where it hurts. You tell me, even if that makes you a "tattle tale". Even if it's your boyfriend, and he tells you it was consensual because you are in a relationship, and that no one will be on your side. I am ALWAYS on your side. If you did not consent, and you said no, it was NOT consensual.

4) Sometimes the bullies will win, or at least it will look like it. Sometimes people will belittle others to a point where they honestly believe that they are small enough to crush. It might not tell you in your history books, but this was something Trump did a lot during his campaign. He talked about women like they were objects. He talked about Mexicans and called them names I will not repeat. He talked about Muslims, and basically called them all terrorists. All I'm saying is that, you don't have to support he bullies just because you feel like you have to. There will be smaller groups you can follow if people who think the way you do, and love the things you love. And sure, bullies will come at you and try to knock you down, but if you stick with your group you'll be just fine.

5) You are beautiful. I don't know what you look like yet, but I know for a fact that you are beautiful. Don't you ever let someone tell you otherwise, because they will be wrong. You have an incredible father, and I'm going to try to be the best mom I can be for you, but knowing how we will raise you, I already know that you'll have your daddy's heart and that is what will make you beautiful! Don't let someone tell you that you are not beautiful because of your weight, your hair, or literally any other physical attribute. They are wrong, they will always be wrong. You will be beautiful from the day we meet you until the day we meet again on the other side of the veil. 

It's 1:30 AM and I've been crying. I didn't want Trump as a president. I didn't want to think about a world where little girls are being taught that it's okay for a man to touch you unwarranted just because he's in a place of power. But this is the world we live in, my love. Maybe it will be a better world when you come into it, and I pray everyday that it is. Either way, you will make our world a brighter place. I pray that you will have more of a voice than I ever did. I pray that you come into this world kind yet strong, and I pray that you never ever forget that you can be both.