Thank You For Being You: Speaking Unconditional Love

Last week my husband and I were out of town for a few days.  Just before we left, I received a note from my daughter.  She finished her thoughts with this simple line:

"Thank you for being you."

I was so touched.  It wasn’t thank you for driving me to school, fixing my dinner, doing my hair, playing games with me, helping me with homework, helping me clean my room, or any of the other things I do for her.

It wasn’t thank you for being nice, kind, funny, helpful, caring, loving, sweet, or any of the fantastic adjectives she could have used to describe me.  It was simple.  It was pure.  

"Thank you for being you."  

In that moment I felt complete.  I was enough—imperfections and all.

Then I began to consider.  Do I thank my children for being who they are?  NOT for what they do or how they act, but just for being them? 

Expressing unconditional love is one of the greatest gifts we can give.  It says, “I love you in this moment just as you are—messes and all.”

So what does that look like?  You’ll have to tweak them to match your personality, but here are some ideas:

Sitting here next to you, I am reminded how much I love you.           

I miss you when we’re apart.

I’m glad you’re mine. 

Seeing you walk through the door, brightens my day.  

I wouldn’t want anyone but you.

Thank you for being my child.

And my personal favorite,

“Thank you for being you.”