For those of you who know my first-born daughter, Alexa, you know that when I describe her as “beautiful”, I am referring to her inner beauty more than her stunning outer beauty. For it is Alexa’s huge compassionate heart that makes an impression on anyone who knows or meets her.Ill-prepared, yet over-joyed when we had her, I was only 21 and my husband 24. We were kids having a kid, so we basically all grew up together. Because of that, I cherish our relationship that much more.

Alexa arrived almost 2 years after my husband’s “Little Brother” – what he affectionately called his younger step-brother – died in a tragic car accident. Her arrival brought rays of light to a very dark time for my husband’s family. I can’t help but think that God blessed us with her at a time when we all needed her most.

Now, I’m proud of My Beautiful Girl for many reasons – She’s strong, responsible, passionate, caring, independent, funny, joyful, empathetic, hard-working, determined, and creative. But even beyond all these attributes, she amazes me in that she’s gorgeous and doesn’t know it. She’s a leader and doesn’t realize that she leads. She’s a giver and doesn’t think twice about giving.

These past several weeks Alexa has been at my side almost every minute holding my hand, hugging me, letting me cry on her all why going through her own pain of losing her grandfather. I derive so much strength from her, and could not be more grateful for My Beautiful Girl.