Dear Tahlia,

What a great accomplishment to be celebrating a BIG 13. I am so proud of what a young lady you have turn into and so glad to be your aunt. I have watched you grown from a far distance and listened to stories of you from your mother’s view. I love how she cares for you and have so much love and desires for you. I love how she treasure her moments with you and put so much time and effort to make sure life is as good as she can make it for you. I love how she gives you boundaries and respect for your space and personal growth. She is WONDERFUL.

Life can be boring at times but you will look back and enjoy all the moments you had. Beside with your adventurous mother, you should never be bored.

So I was a troubled teen. I didn’t do what I was supposed to, I skipped school more than I attended, I hung out with the wrong crowd,  got into trouble at school, at home and with the law.  Enough said about those years.  Even with all those things, I did learn to have fun and enjoy myself. See those stars in my eyes that I didn’t tape it on.. I really did have them in my eyes :).   What I do want to share with you are the following things that I wish I had learned as a young woman instead of an adult and a lot of these you already know:

* Treasure those moments with your family. These people will be in your life FOREVER no matter where you are. No matter you like them or not.. so minus as well LOVE them.

*Treat everyone as you want to be treated

*Live life with no regrets

*Don’t hold grudges

*You are old enough to understand this concept:

“if you die tomorrow would it matter on what you are mad at about now… if it doesn’t matter than “Let it go”

* “Live life to the fullness” – what does that mean? Mean live life now in TODAY. If you have an opportunity to do something, do it or at least try it.

Attitude – are you reflecting an attitude that you want to be treated?

* Be respectful

*Your parents will always worry about you.. even when you are 55. So let them be, it just means they love you.

*All the moment matter, it is what had shape you and will shape you. The good, the bad and the difficult. They are all good.

*Never go to bed angry. Nothing is worth it.

*Depending on the circumstance, say sorry even when it is not your fault. Be the bigger person and see beyond the situation.

Tahlia, your parents love you dearly and do their very best to give you the best in life. In opportunities and in love. Do your best to repay them by reflecting on yourself often to see if you are on the same track as they have planned for you. Your mom put this book together is a wonderful idea and want you to have a constant reminder of who loves you, who is important to you and what your dreams are to be. This book will treasure with you and go through some happy and bad times with you.  Remember who you are and remember those values. Don’t let anyone distance you from your family and those you love. Don’t let someone tell you who to be and what you are to do. Make sure you remember one of the biggest values in the Chinese culture is RESPECT. Treat everyone like you wanted to be treated.
We send our love from TEXAS USA and wishing you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many great teen years ahead. You have a great head on your shoulder and we can’t wait to see amazing things in life out of you.

Kayce and Ethan treasure having you as a cousin and wish we are all closer in distance.

Love,

Your cousins Kayce, Ethan and Auntie June