You deserve to be loved, cherished, and appreciated

You deserve the most gentle love

An all-encompassing, unconditional love

A love that allows you to explore

A love that allows you to grow into the woman you were meant to be

A love that allows you to take up space

I am so sorry that it took me 21 and a half years to realize

Realize that you are worthy, beautiful

That you are more than just a Black girl with muddled emotions

That your pain is valid

That your struggles are valid

That your tears are valid

That your happiness is valid

And deep down I’ve always loved you

Even that girl from Schilletter Village, whose time was filled with nothing but tears, concussions, and bruises

Even that girl from 2008, who struggled for control of her own body, constantly wondering when he would stop

Even that girl from Lafayette, attempting to bleach and scratch the darkness from her body

Even that girl from Science and Math, wondering when she would finally be free from her pain

Even that girl from November 15, 2018, who was distraught when she woke up to live another day

I love you more than the stars in the sky

And I promise to always love and cherish you

To never lose sight of you

To always advocate for you

And if loving you is wrong then I don’t want to be right