Dear Sophia

a letter to my niece

Her parents have kindly given me permission to share these images with you inside this post. To protect her, I’ve added my website over each one and have purposely grouped them together in smaller sizes. That said, Aunt Kaitlyn here to say I love her so but you won’t see her much and also, 100% yes I’m including this official language because the world wide web and AI do awful things to photos of children.

All rights reserved. Do not copy, download, or use these images for any purpose. © 2026 Kaitlyn Bouchillon

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Dear Sophia,

How wanted and hoped for you are, my dear. Whoever you grow up to become, whatever you one day do, whether you’re spunky or sweet or shy, silly or sarcastic or soft-spoken, one thing is forever for sure: you are beloved.

I promise to return to the sunshine state for you, and I promise that when you’re old enough, I’ll show you the other seasons too.

I promise to plant hope and speak life over you.

If you like pink and sparkles and all things frills, I promise to learn to like those too, which is really just another way of saying “I love you thiiiiiis much.”

And oh, I’ll do all I can to show you the power of story and the delight of getting lost in a great book.

I can’t wait to listen to your stories, Sophie girl, your hopes and dreams, your worries and weights.

No matter what your days hold, you won’t face them alone.

May you live into your name, growing into a woman of wisdom who walks with God, but if one day it seems like a strange irony as unknowns pile up, I pray you’ll hear the gentle whisper of the Spirit walking beside you with love and kindness.

May you know deep in your bones that every ounce of you is wonderful. There’s a lot that comes with being a girl, with being the first, with being the oldest—but from one to another, hear me say it over you from the start: you aren’t ‘too much’ and you aren’t ‘not enough’ because who you are and what you are is beloved.

May you always be surprised by joy, steadied by peace, sustained by grace and strengthened by love.

May you dream big and know beyond a shadow of a doubt: there will always be a soft place for you to land.

I’m on your team for all my days, and my gosh I can’t want to be your biggest fan for all of yours.

Love you much, Sophie girl.

Aunt Kaitlyn

Ps Your daddy, my babiest brother, made me guess your name. He and I have always been pretty close, but he didn’t expect me to get it right—especially with my very first guess. I think that means you and I will be best friends. I’m so glad.

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Because this teeny tiny little love has now taken over my camera roll, a few more pictures are shared here:

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