Dear Lola | Today you are 14 | Sarasota Teen Photographer

And the day came when the risk it took to

remain tight inside the bud was more painful

than the risk it took to blossom.

~ Anais Nin

Dear Lola,

Today you are 14! How did that happen? No longer the little girl I met 5 years ago, you are blossoming into every bit of the amazing human you are meant to become. Like a slowly opening bud, each complicated layer of you gently unfurls to reveal a new kaleidoscope of swirling color and light. You are mixture of light and dark, joy and sadness, giggles and grace. And nothing could be more perfect or exciting.

Don’t ever doubt yourself or your ability to survive, be resilient, and soar through life. It’s not easy. This you already know. It’s a lesson you learned all too young. Know that the strength you possess will continue to serve you as you navigate your way through life. Use it to lift you up and give you the confidence to know that you already hold within you everything you need to succeed and survive.

Trust is something you hold close to your heart and guard with fierce protection. Don’t be afraid to give it to those you deem worthy. Those who are worthy of you. Worthy of your love, your friendship, your loyalty. Worthy to share in your creed of loving kindness. Vulnerability in strength is a beautiful thing.

This annual letter is a tradition I hope will continue until forever. My chance to tell you just how remarkable you are. To gush on you and probably embarrass you. To impart some (hopefully) wise words that you will hold in your heart and carry with you through life.

And to that end, if I repeat myself, it’s with intent. So that these words will ring in your head and be imprinted there forever. So that you might believe them with all your heart and know them to be true.

With each passing year, you will continue to grow into the woman you were born to be. Nurture her. Love her fiercely. Trust her. Be her. She is strong. She is fierce. She is you.

We are old friends now, you and I. And there is no greater connection than when you are in front of my camera. It’s become a comfortable dance where great unspoken conversations are woven. Where most people feel awkward and uncomfortable, we just know what to do. It’s what we do. And I want you to know. I SEE YOU. In your eyes I see the heartbreaking pain and the inescapable joy of a thousand sunsets. In your heart I see the molten fire of a thousand suns swirling together the light and dark bits of your soul. In your soul I see a girl who radiates breathtaking beauty, fierce loyalty, and unabashed joy.

Fourteen. 14. This is the age your mom was when I met her. Did you know that? To see you at this age takes my breath away. All that was good and kind within her now lives in you. Yet, you are so inexplicably Lola. You are perfectly you, no one else. And isn’t that the very best thing? To hold within us that which is love and joy and happiness and then, with love, to gently blow the rest away?

I am profoundly proud of you. Proud of your tender heart and your shining spirit. I am proud of your creative mind and your never ending strength. I am proud to be your friend.

We have big plans, you and I. Where will we be in another 5 years? I am bursting at the seams to find out.

Best thing: Sunrise on the beach as the crash of green waves reflects the brilliant green of your eyes. Eyes that have seen too much, yet still contain a million wishes of hope for all that is to come….and for all the dreams that will come true.

Worst thing: Being so far away. Not forever. Just for now.

You are strong. You are a warrior. You are fierce.
You are friendship. You are empathy. You are tender. You are love.

You already hold within you everything you need to succeed and survive.

And not only will you survive.
In this life, you will THRIVE.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl.

Spread your wings, and don’t ever stop wishing.

I love you.

~Michaela