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To My Daughter…

Dorothy· Family

31 May

My dearest Dorothy,

On the day before you were due to enter this world, I wrote you a letter.

I guaranteed you a lot, and set lofty goals for myself as a mother. I promised that I would raise you to be strong. I promised that I would help you achieve your dreams. I promised that I would love you unconditionally.

I hope and pray that someday you are able look back at your childhood and see that your daddy and I lived up to our words. Sweet girl, you have already made us so proud.

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The personality you possess, at only two-and-a-half, is outstanding. You have strong likes and dislikes. You love your people fiercely. You care so deeply. It seems like it was just yesterday that we brought you home from the hospital, and yet somehow you have already grown into a bright and spirited little girl. You’re definitely not a baby anymore.

When I wrote you that letter nearly three years ago, I thought I knew what changes were coming my way. I thought I knew what motherhood would entail, and what our world would look like moving forward. But, not surprisingly, no amount of research could have prepared me for you. As ready as I thought I was to become your mommy, I was not even close to wrapping my mind around the impact you would make on our lives. I was still selfish, and I was naive. It took a long time for me to understand my new role as your momma. Now, looking back, I know the pre-mommy version of myself could never begin to imagine the all encompassing love I feel for you.

Dorothy, you alone have been my biggest blessing in life.

Tomorrow our lives are changing again, and this time that includes you. Your daddy and I will welcome another beautiful daughter, and you will officially become a big sister. So exciting! Your daddy and I always knew we wanted to give you a sibling. We want you to have a lifelong best friend, and someone to grow up alongside. We want you to have family outside of your father and myself, so that someday when we’re old and gray you won’t be dealing with us alone. 😉

In the same way I felt before you arrived, you think you understand what changes are coming. We’ve done our best to prepare you, and to minimize any disruptions in your life. You’re so excited to be a big sister, and you can’t wait to meet the baby, but you really have no idea that your perfect toddler world is about to be turned upside-down.

The transition to a family of four will probably be challenging. You have never had to share your mom and dad, and likewise we have never had to love and care for anyone but you. I can assure you that some days will be wonderful, and others may be hard. But, big girl, you’re so smart and strong. You’ll get the hang of this big sister thing in no time.

I’m a big sister too, you know. I know for a fact that there is no better friend, rival, or person to have in your corner than your sister.

You’re going to love it.

We love you more than words can express, Dorothy. Thank you for always being our sweet baby girl.

Love,
Mom

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Comments

  1. Adrian says

    May 31, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    Beautifully written Sami. I can’t wait to see baby Frances.

    Reply
  2. Anosha says

    May 31, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    So excited for your Lil family. Congratulations and can’t wait to see pictures.

    Reply
  3. Cindy Brinson says

    June 1, 2016 at 6:30 am

    Can’t wait to see your new baby girl. Dorothy will make a wonderful big sister. I was blessed with two girls and they have definitely been the greatest gifts in my life . They have also blessed me with six beautiful grandkids. God is good.

    Reply

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Hey there, I'm Samantha. Recovering SAHM, and aspiring competitive dance mom. I have a passion for travel, am known to say it like it is, and I most certainly do not have it all together. Currently on a journey toward self love and discovery. Join me. 2021 | Bloom

Latest from Instagram

… we have so many dances, they don’t all fit i … we have so many dances, they don’t all fit into one Insta post. 😝

Frances | 2022
Mini Company, Tap, Jazz, Ballet & Acro
Am I even a real dance mom if I don’t post all o Am I even a real dance mom if I don’t post all of our recital photos? 

Dorothy | 2022
Lyrical, Production, Trio, Small Group, Tap, Jazz, Ballet & Acro
💜❤️🧡💛 💜❤️🧡💛
“Mom, will I look different when I’m 6?” Oh “Mom, will I look different when I’m 6?”

Oh, sweet Frances Belle. 🥹 Happiest of birthdays to our baby girl. 💜
Have a magical day! ✨ #waltdisneyworld #magicki Have a magical day! ✨

#waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #springbreak #butdidyoudie
Post-competition hangover is REAL at the Cotten ho Post-competition hangover is REAL at the Cotten house today! 🤪 I’m still teary-eyed over how grown up our babies looked on stage. 🥺 So, so proud of them and their @talent_factory_ Company teammates! #dancemom @iddancecomp

The Sanderson Sisters | Dorothy
🏆 Iconic Platinum, 1st Overall Junior Novice Duo/Trio 
***Special Award: Costume Award

Sweet Scoops | Frances
🏆 Iconic Platinum, 3rd Overall Mini Novice Small Group 

Cabana Cuties | Dorothy
🏆 Iconic Platinum, 2nd Overall Junior Novice Small Group, 
***Special Award: Artistic Execution 

The Addams Family | Dorothy
🏆 Ultra Iconic (highest achievement), 2nd Overall Intermediate Teen Production
ID ICON BUZZER 🚨
***Special Awards: Costume Award, Technique Award, Trendsetter Award
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Categories

  • MY GIRLS
  • MOCO FIXER
  • STITCH FIX
… we have so many dances, they don’t all fit i … we have so many dances, they don’t all fit into one Insta post. 😝

Frances | 2022
Mini Company, Tap, Jazz, Ballet & Acro
Am I even a real dance mom if I don’t post all o Am I even a real dance mom if I don’t post all of our recital photos? 

Dorothy | 2022
Lyrical, Production, Trio, Small Group, Tap, Jazz, Ballet & Acro
💜❤️🧡💛 💜❤️🧡💛
“Mom, will I look different when I’m 6?” Oh “Mom, will I look different when I’m 6?”

Oh, sweet Frances Belle. 🥹 Happiest of birthdays to our baby girl. 💜
Have a magical day! ✨ #waltdisneyworld #magicki Have a magical day! ✨

#waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #springbreak #butdidyoudie
Post-competition hangover is REAL at the Cotten ho Post-competition hangover is REAL at the Cotten house today! 🤪 I’m still teary-eyed over how grown up our babies looked on stage. 🥺 So, so proud of them and their @talent_factory_ Company teammates! #dancemom @iddancecomp

The Sanderson Sisters | Dorothy
🏆 Iconic Platinum, 1st Overall Junior Novice Duo/Trio 
***Special Award: Costume Award

Sweet Scoops | Frances
🏆 Iconic Platinum, 3rd Overall Mini Novice Small Group 

Cabana Cuties | Dorothy
🏆 Iconic Platinum, 2nd Overall Junior Novice Small Group, 
***Special Award: Artistic Execution 

The Addams Family | Dorothy
🏆 Ultra Iconic (highest achievement), 2nd Overall Intermediate Teen Production
ID ICON BUZZER 🚨
***Special Awards: Costume Award, Technique Award, Trendsetter Award
I bought a 2,000 piece puzzle thinking it would be I bought a 2,000 piece puzzle thinking it would be “fun.” 8 days later - with HOURS of help from @kadstewa, @saworkman2012, and @andrewni88 - I retire from puzzles forever. 😂😳😜
The Doc is in! 💜 We took a surprise trip to @ch The Doc is in! 💜 We took a surprise trip to @childrensmuseum last night to preview the new Doc McStuffins exhibit. Frances loved caring for the stuffed animals, and Dot is on her way to becoming a surgeon specializing  in toy dragons. Do you have doctors-in-training at your house? 🩺 The exhibit opens to the public TOMORROW, so don’t miss it! #attcm #childrensmuseum #docmcstuffins
We ate brunch in a traincar diner 🚂, explored S We ate brunch in a traincar diner 🚂, explored Salem 🧙‍♀️, froze our faces while wandering colonial forts and lighthouses on the Atlantic 🌊, and ended our New England weekend seeing this gorgeous girl finally marry her love in a 1901 stone mansion 👰🏻‍♀️. Who knew hiring Nikole as my assistant director in 2017 would lead to a friendship like this? 💛
These. Three. 💃🕺💃 @talent_factory_ #tfadh These. Three. 💃🕺💃 @talent_factory_ #tfadholidayshowcase21

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