She nodded, her voice strained. “It’s all so much, Mom. I love it, but sometimes… I don’t know if I’m cut out for all of this.”
I sat beside her, rubbing her back gently. “Sweetheart, you don’t have to be perfect. You never have to be perfect. This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about doing what makes you happy. And I can see how happy you are when you’re creating. When you’re designing. You’ve already proven everything you need to prove.”
She sighed, leaning into my touch. “I just don’t want to let anyone down.”
“Who are you trying to impress, Lily?” I asked softly. “The only person you need to impress is yourself. Don’t carry the weight of other people’s expectations. You’ve got this. And if it gets too hard, I’m right here.”
For the first time in days, she looked up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Thanks, Mom. I needed to hear that.”
I smiled and kissed the top of her head. “Always, sweetie. Always.”
As Lily continued to grow in her career, she faced many challenges, but I never once doubted her ability to overcome them. She had learned what it meant to stand up for herself, to fight for her dreams, and to rise above the people who tried to tear her down.