My ate is going to her FIRST debut party tonight!!!

Cocktail dress: Topshop Shoes: Forever 21 Bag: Accessorize Heart: Mom’s <3

It’s the start of a string of debuts & cocktail dresses, heels & long curly tresses. (Okay, I’ll stop rhyming, haha! ;P)

Ate’s small class of 9 made it to the shots & special dance presentation.. I’m glad she’ll already be in college when her turn comes, so she has more friends!

I can’t believe she’ll be celebrating her very own debut this November.. gotta get ready for that! I want it to be a night she will always savor & remember! <3

Turning 18 is very special.. I remember my own debut, so long ago it seems…

Yep, that’s my hunny bunny with me as my escort! <3

My cotillon de honor.. I don’t know if ate wants hers modern or traditional.

My 18 roses..

Good thing my escort turned out to be my husband! 😉 I don’t think I can keep an album with my ex’s picture haha! So ate, my advice is.. GO ESCORT-LESS! ;P

Soon, it’s my firstborn’s turn!!! I’m so excited to give her the night she so deserves! It seems just like yesterday that she celebrated her 1st birthday.. and in a few more months, she’s turning 18!!! sniffffff…

Thank you for 17 years of happiness & perfect bliss, ate! I don’t know what my life would have been without you. You complete me! <3

And so, I dedicate this blog to you, for your coming 18th birthday! :-*

Rules for parents of Daughters..

My wish for you, ate, is that God will also bless you with someone who will make you happy in spite of. Always in love, because of.

Be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs you to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.

We hope we have always made you feel secure in our love & presence ate.

Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

We will always, always be 100% behind you, ate. Nothing & no one can ever come between us. We will always be on your side. Fighting your battles WITH you.

Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old peeps won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

We always want to be a part of your every experience. We love you! <3

Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

Always hold on to God. He is the glue that holds our family together.

Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

Your birthdays are always special, because we are reminded of the day when you came into our lives & made it perfect! <3

Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.

We may be very close, but you’ll always, always be daddy’s girl. 🙂

Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

You are perfect, just the way you are. Always remember that.

When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

You’re never too old to give us bear hugs & butterfly kisses. Never stop!

Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

I will ALWAYS be in your heart. <3 For your next 100 birthdays!!! :-*

Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

We may be angry, we may be disappointed at times. But we will always welcome you with open arms, come what may.

Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

Just don’t grow up too fast! ;P Please?

Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

I’ve gone one step further, I made you guys this blog! 😉

Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

I’m beginning to have the first pangs of separation anxiety already, that I may just go off to college with you hehe.. But fine, I’ll give you a little leeway.. and enroll in a different course. LOL-jk! Mwahaha!! ;P

When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life.

We may bicker at times & not see eye to eye, but we’ll always be the best of friends!

Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

We’re not perfect parents. I hope you can always forgive us our shortcomings, ate.

Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

No matter how old you get to be, always remember to always come back to me!!! I love you forever & ever, ate!!! <3

PS- Lovey, don’t be jealous! I’ll make one for you too! ;))