This is My Last Love Letter to You Until We Meet Again

Watching our kids turn 21 is one of life’s beautiful milestones. We gaze at their newly adult faces and reflect on how much they have grown and changed in two decades.

Love letter with flowers for a daughter's birthday

It is a tiny bit bitter, as we know childhood is entirely gone, but mostly sweet as we watch the wonderful adult emerge.  But if there is one thing we know for certain, one incontrovertible truth, we are truly lucky to share this moment with our kids.

Sadly not all parents get to witness this wonderful moment in their kid’s lives. Bailey Seller’s dad did not get to live to see this day as he died of cancer when she was 16. Knowing he wouldn’t be there for his daughter’s 21st birthday, he planned ahead.  Before he died, he arranged to have flowers delivered to her on her birthday. Omg, cue the tears.

On her most recent birthday, her 21st, he sent a card saying that this would be the last message until they met again. He offered her the fatherly advice other father are lucky enough to give in person.  She shared his message on Twitter and the internet wept. Almost 800, 000 people showed Bailey their love with a heart and 6,000 left the young woman a message.

The birthday card reads:

‘Bailey,

This is my last love letter to you until we meet again. I do not want you to shed another tear for me my baby girl for I am in a better place. You are and will always be the most precious jewel I was given. It is your 21st birthday and I want you to always respect your momma and stay true to yourself. Be happy and live life to the fullest. I will still be with you through every milestone, just look around and there I will be. I love you Boo Boo and Happy Birthday!!!!

Daddy.

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About Grown and Flown

Mary Dell Harrington and Lisa (Endlich) Heffernan are the co-founders of Grown and Flown the #1 site for parents of teens, college students and young adults, reaching millions of parents every month. They are writers (Lisa is a New York Times bestselling author), moms, wives and friends. They started the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook Group and are co-authors of Grown and Flown: How to Support Your Teen, Stay Close as a Family, and Raise Independent Adults (Flatiron Books) now in paperback.

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