Dear Grace,

I just wanted to write you a note letting you know that I am so, so, so excited to be your aunt. I was excited when your brother Jack was born, and now I am even more excited for your birth, knowing how great it is to be an aunt and how wonderful it is to see your personalities develop.

I wanted to let you know, baby girl, before anyone tells you differently, that you deserve a place in this world. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. You deserve a place just as much as every other person in this world deserves a place. Don’t ever let anyone shrink you. Don’t ever feel like you need to make yourself small or not speak up or not assert your voice when you feel called. Speak your mind. Have opinions. Don’t shy away from them (and don’t feel afraid to…