Twenty years ago, I held you for the first time — tiny, warm, and already the fiercest beat in my heart. Though you were my second child, there was nothing second about the pride and joy I felt. You came into my world like a song I hadn’t known I needed — soft, powerful, and unforgettable.
When some whispered, “Oh, it’s a girl,” as if that were somehow less, I stood taller, steadier — “Yes,” I said. “It is my girl.” Because I knew. I knew the fire you carried. I knew the strength you’d grow into. And I knew the privilege it was to raise a girl like you.
I named you Yashas, which means the conqueror of fame — and you have lived up to every letter of that name. In your quiet strength and in your bold leaps, in the way you carry yourself and in the way others are drawn to your light — you’ve already left your mark. And this is only the beginning.
Every time you were hurt, it was as if my soul cracked quietly. Your wounds were mine; your fears became my battles. I wiped away more than just tears — I wiped away doubts, shadows, and the noise that tried to tell you, you weren’t enough. You always were. You always are.
When you moved away to a new city, I pretended to be brave. But letting go was harder than I let on. I found comfort in the little things — your calls, your voice notes, the way you still check on my day. Each small connection became my anchor.
Today, as you turn 20, I want you to know this:
Fear nothing. The world is wide, and you are ready. Live your life with your arms open and your eyes clear. Love deeply, but never lose yourself in anyone or anything. Your emotions are valid, but don’t let them hold you back from greatness.
You are more than I ever dreamed — independent, kind, bold. And you’re just getting started.
Just for You!
You came with stars tucked in your smile,
With dreams that danced across each mile.
A heart so fierce, a spirit free,
You are, and always will be — me.
The world may twist, the winds may turn,
But in your eyes, the fires burn.
So soar, my girl, and claim your skies,
You were always meant to rise.
Go ahead — leap, laugh, explore. And if the world ever feels too much, remember you’ll always have a place where you are loved without question — in my heart, forever.
Happy 20th, my girl.
With all my love,
Amma
