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
