A Letter to My Daughter

Dear Ava,

To say I’m proud of you doesn’t begin to express what’s in my heart. Watching you graduate high school and step into a new chapter of your life fills me with awe. This moment—this milestone—is one I will carry with me forever.

A Journey Marked by Courage and Determination

Your path hasn’t been easy. You’ve faced and risen above challenges that many don’t fully understand—dyslexia, dyscalculia, and anxiety. But instead of letting these define you, you’ve embraced your story with resilience and grace. You've built tools, sought support, and shaped your own way forward. It has been nothing short of extraordinary to witness your growth.

Strength in Kindness and Quiet Confidence

You shine with a light that comes from within—kindness, joy, wisdom, and determination. You set goals with gentle strength, achieve them with focus, and continue moving forward with quiet confidence. You’ve chosen friends who honor your spirit, who lift you up and walk beside you with love. And with grace, you’ve let go of relationships that no longer align with your journey. Through it all, your faith has remained your steady guide—your compass and your grounding force.

Celebrating Your Achievements (Because You’ve Earned It)

While your accomplishments don’t define you, they absolutely deserve recognition:

• 3.75 GPA

• 27 units of college credit

• Seal of Biliteracy in American Sign Language (ASL)

• A part-time job you’ve balanced with school

• Countless 4-H awards and leadership experiences

• Clear and inspiring goals for nursing school

Your dad and I are incredibly proud—not only of these achievements, but of the compassionate, driven, and insightful person you’ve become. We’re also deeply grateful for the mentors and community members who have supported you along the way.

A Long Road of Hard Work and Heart

This journey wasn’t built overnight. You worked for it. Years to support your reading, after-school dyslexia intervention, tutoring sessions during school breaks, Making Math Real intervention, and hours of advocating together for the right tools and resources. You never stopped climbing—even when the way was steep. And today, look at how far you’ve come.

You’ve Been My Greatest Teacher

Ava, you’ve taught me more than I ever imagined. You've shown me what it means to be patient, to fight fiercely for what matters, and to love without limits. Whether we were in the barn with your animals through 4-H, collecting seashells at the beach, or crafting together—those moments are some of my most treasured memories.

Thank you for letting me walk beside you. You are a gift—not only to me, but to the world. You have been one of the greatest joys of my life.

Looking Ahead With Hope and Excitement

I love you to the moon and back, my sweet pussycat. I can't wait to see what your next adventure brings. Whatever path you choose, I know you'll walk it with the same courage, heart, and grace that have always defined you.

With all my love, mom

Congratulations, Ava you have worked so hard to be where you are today!