Adia,
Sometimes I worry about the world we have brought you into. I know we will do our very best to teach you how to be strong and survive, but even with all our teaching, I know you are bound to experience hurt. The hardest part about being a parent is that you can't protect your child from everything or everyone. Sometimes the people that cause the most hurt will be the people you have know for the longest time. And the way those people will hurt you is through gossip or rejection.
When you're a bit older, you will realize that Mom & Dad had only been married 6 months before you joined our family. But you had perfect timing, or rather, God had perfect timing. Some may have called me harsh names. Some may forever look at me completely different. Some may forever gossip about "the preacher's daughter", and I do mean forever. But that's totally A-OK because, as The Good Book says, "Let he without sin cast the first stone." And, just so you know, no one is without sin.
Some may say you were an accident or even a mistake. But it doesn't matter what they say. I can't say it was a mistake, because you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. God knew exactly what he was doing. I'm not sure if I (or Memsie) would have made it through the grieving process of my Aunt Lib's death if it weren't for you.
I do feel as though I wear a scarlet letter when I'm around certain people. But, you know what? I've always loved the book and I wear this scarlet letter proudly. I will never be ashamed of loving your father and I will never be ashamed of having you.
Rumors and gossip will always exist. Just remember, the people who matter will love you unconditionally, no matter what is said about you or what you have done. I love you and you were put in my life at the exact moment you were meant to be. No matter how wrong one may consider it. Always walk with your head held high because only God can judge us and the only forgiveness that matters is His.
