140+ Heartwarming Birthday Wishes, Quotes, & Blessings for a Daughter

Your daughter’s birthday is one of the most important days of the year, and as her mom, you want to say something to make the day that much more special. Whether you say it in person, write it on a card, or send it via text, the message needs to convey exactly how much you love and appreciate her as your daughter, and how grateful you are to be her mom. We’ve come through with more than 140 heartfelt, sweet, and funny messages to make your daughter smile on her birthday—plus, we’ve included tips from parenting coach Tyler Drouet, MA, and certified life coach Kirin Dejonckheere on what to include in your message.

Our Favorite “Happy Birthday, Daughter” Wishes

Parenting coach Tyler Drouet, MA, suggests writing a personalized birthday message for your daughter that leans into specific things you appreciate about her, as well as some wishes or prayers you have for the coming year. Here are some example messages you can use or draw inspiration from:

“Another year older, another year wiser. Happy birthday to my daughter!”
“Happy Birthday to my favorite girl! 💖🎂 So much love for you! ✨”
“Words can’t express how lucky I am to be your mom. Happy birthday.”
“Happy birthday! Are you old enough for me to stop paying your phone bill yet?”
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot

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Short & Sweet Birthday Wishes for a Daughter

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Keep it short and sweet for a concise birthday message. Sometimes the best birthday wish is a short one that lets you get to the cake a little faster! That said, you can still pack in all of your love, appreciation, and cheerful vibes into a snappy birthday message. Here are some examples:^{[1]
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- “Wishing you plenty of laughter, singing, and hugs.”
- “I fell in love all over again when I first held you in my arms. Happy birthday to my special daughter!”
- “I haven’t always been a perfect mom, but you’ve always been a perfect daughter. Have a perfect birthday!”
- “It’s hard not to get a little emotional on this day that my life changed forever. Happy birthday, pumpkin.”
- “Could my daughter be any more perfect? Nope, didn’t think so.”
- “They don’t make ‘em as sweet and perfect as you. Happy birthday!”
- “Another year older, another year wiser. Happy birthday to my daughter!”
- “Wishing you a birthday as magical as you are.”
- “Your smile lights up a room, and it’s lit up our lives for the past (insert age) years. Happy birthday.”
- “My lovely daughter, you deserve the world. I hope you get a piece of it today. Happy birthday!”
- “Happy birthday to my sweet girl on her special day.”
- “Happy birthday! I hope the day shines just as bright as you.”
- “Today's one of my favorite days of the year because it's the day I met you. Love you, angel. Happy birthday!”
- “I hope that one day, as your mom, I can make you as happy as you made me on the day you came into this world.”
- “I don’t care how old you get, I’ll always love you like the sweet little girl you are.”
- “As your mother, each new year I get to spend with you is a gift in itself.”
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Tyler Drouet, MA, is a certified parenting coach and mother of three who specializes in the transition to parenthood and parent-child relationship dynamics.

Kirin Dejonckheere is a certified life coach who provides both online and in-person 1:1 coaching sessions and is personally mentored by life coach Rob Dial.

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Grateful Birthday Wishes for a Daughter

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Show your gratitude for having such a fabulous daughter. Your daughter only has one mom, and she’s a one-of-a-kind daughter, so tell her all about it! To make your birthday wish even more personal, jot down a funny or special memory you have of her to create a unique birthday card for a uniquely special girl.^{[2]
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- “Words can’t express how lucky I am to be your mom. Happy birthday.”
- “Of all the kids in the world, I’m so glad that you’re the one I call ‘daughter.’”
- “Raising you has been the greatest honor of my life. Thank you for giving me the privilege of saying ‘happy birthday’ each year to the best daughter I could have asked for.”
- “I’m sure there were times you might have wished you had better parents, but I never could have wished for a better daughter.”
- “I must have done something right to be given such an outstanding daughter. Raising you has been a total joy. Happy birthday!”
- “Taking the opportunity on your special day to remind you of how much you mean to me. You’ve brought me so many smiles and so much laughter throughout the years, and I can’t imagine a life without you in it. Happy birthday!”
- “You make my heart overflow with gratitude each and every day. Happy birthday, daughter!”
- “Happy birthday to my amazing daughter! You’re the greatest gift, and watching you grow has been the greatest joy of my life. I’m so proud of you.”
- “Happy birthday, my sunshine! You’re loved more than words can say, and we are so grateful to know and love you. Enjoy your day!”

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Motivational Birthday Wishes for a Daughter

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Offer some motivational and encouraging words on her big day. Many young people feel pressure to grow up and find their way in life, and the future doesn’t always feel certain. As her mom, give your daughter some much-needed assurance and support, and let her know that you’ll be there for her every step of the way.^{[3]
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Tyler Drouet, MA
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- “On your birthday, I want you to remember that I’m your mom and that I’ll always be here for you through every birthday to come.”
- “Happy birthday to the girl who’s not just my daughter, but also a talented, brave, kind, and remarkable young woman. The world ain’t ready for you.”
- “I’ve seen you overcome every challenge life has thrown at you so far, so I know you’ll overcome every challenge that’s yet to come, and you’ll have so many more happy birthdays.”
- “Remember: you can handle anything the years throw at you. I love you, birthday girl.”
- “You’ve gotten into enough trouble over the years for me to be able to say one thing for certain: You can do anything you set your mind to, and if it doesn’t work out, I’ll always be here to help you clean up the mess. Happy birthday, sweetie! Go make plenty of messes.”
- “Happy birthday! I hope you put this card where you can see it all year as a reminder of how much I love and believe in you. I know you can tackle any challenge you face—all you need to do is look at this little birthday card and remember that I’m rooting for you.”
- “It’s your birthday, but remember that you’re still young! Use these years to have fun and go crazy, and let responsibilities come later.”
- “Life might seem crazy for a girl your age, but you’ve got plenty of years ahead of you to find out just how crazy things can get. 🤪”
- “I know that you just can’t wait to get older, but I’m here to tell you that once the years start coming, they don’t stop coming. You can wait a little longer. For now, know that I love you! Happy birthday!”
- “For now, you’ve got your friends and your parents and plenty of time on your hands. Tomorrow, it’s work and taxes and other lame adult stuff. Enjoy your youth while you can!”
- “Some people will tell you that these are your best years, but on your birthday I’m here to say that every year can be your best year if you know what you want from life. The good news is that you’ve got plenty of time to figure out exactly what you want. I know how smart and caring you are, and I know you’ll make the best of every year.”
- “May today usher in a new chapter of growth and fulfillment. Happy birthday, daughter!”

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Proud Birthday Wishes for a Daughter

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Acknowledge her achievements in life to make her feel appreciated. Even if she’s young and has a whole lot of living left to do, she’s made it this far, and birthdays are all about celebrating that! Tell her all the ways you’re proud of her while being “as specific as possible,” says Drouet, and “lean into some specific things that you really appreciate and want to celebrate about in your child—like maybe something you’ve seen [in them] over the past year.”^{[5]
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Parenting Coach

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- “On your birthday, looking back on all the life you’ve lived brings me so much joy. Here’s to much more life to come!”
- “When you were born, my only wish was to see you grow up strong and happy. Now, my only wish is to see you stay as strong and happy as you’ve become, and as you make me.”
- “I’m so proud of everything you’ve become. Happy birthday, my sweet girl!”
- “I thought being a mom would be hard, but waking up every day and loving you is the easiest thing in the world. If I had to go back in time and choose which child to have and to raise, I’d choose you every single time.”
- “Watching you become the person you are now is the greatest reward of my life. You’re so full of surprises and talents and kindness that sometimes I find it hard to believe you’re my daughter. But you are! Happy birthday, honey, and thank you for being you!”
- “Here’s to chasing your dreams and another deeply satisfying trip around the sun. My biggest source of joy in life is calling you my daughter.”
- “Watching you chase your dreams with such determination fills my heart with pride. May this new year bring you even closer to everything you hope for.”
- “Your intellect astounds me each and every day, so happy birthday to the kindest, smartest, most compassionate girl I know!”

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Heartfelt Birthday Wishes for a Daughter

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Send her a sentimental message to remind her of your love. Birthdays are occasions for celebration, but they also offer the perfect opportunity to show your daughter a little heartfelt appreciation and let her know exactly how special she is.^{[6]
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Research source} Dejonckheere shares that “the most meaningful birthday wishes are the ones that remind someone that their life, and the way they live it, truly matters…Acknowledge who [your child] has become and how they live their life. It’s less about marking the day, and more about recognizing the person they’ve grown into.”^{[7]
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Kirin Dejonckheere
Certified Life Coach

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- Here’s an example message from Dejonckheere: “‘Watching you grow into the [woman] you’ve become is one of the greatest joys of my life. I’m so proud of your heart, your resilience, and the way you show up in the world. I love you deeply.’”^{[8]
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  Kirin Dejonckheere
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- “I’m so grateful I get to celebrate this birthday with you, plus every birthday after.”
- “Happy 20th birthday! Here’s to another 20 incredible years, and another 20 after, and another 20 after…”
- “Enjoy your special day, and remember that you have so many more special days in store!”
- “Each new birthday is an opportunity to look back on every birthday before and see how far you’ve come. I can’t wait to see how much further you’ll go.”
- “I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you! Happy birthday!
- “I used to wonder and worry about what sort of young woman you’d become. I’m so happy to say that I don’t worry anymore. You’re every bit the woman I’d hoped you’d be, and more. Now, I just sit and wonder about how much better you’ll become.
- “I’m not sure how you could possibly make my life any brighter than you already have, but as your mother, I know you’ll find a way to outdo yourself. Happy birthday, honey!”
- “I’ll never forget the first time I held you. I’m so grateful to hold you in my arms every day, and especially on your birthday. You’ll always be my special girl.”
- “I know you’ll be getting plenty of gifts on your birthday, but I’m sorry to say that none of them will top the gifts you give me every day just by being my daughter.”
- “It’s been an absolute joy to see you blossom year after year into the special young woman you’ve become, and I’ve been so happy to get to be a part of your life. You’re my girl forever and always.”
- “I’d write a book about how much I love you, but it’d never be finished. Every day you give me a new reason to cherish you as my daughter, and there’s not enough ink or paper in the world that can hold my feelings for you. Happy birthday!”
- “I knew my world would be forever different from the moment I first held you in my arms. Happy birthday to the brightest part of my life and my inspiration each and every day.”
- “You may be a grown woman now with a family of your own, but you’ll forever be my baby girl. Happy birthday to my greatest joy in life!”

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Funny Birthday Wishes for a Daughter

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Send her a funny message to make her laugh. Sure, you might be giving her something in a box to unwrap, but the real gift you can give your daughter is a smile. Jot down a witty one-liner or even just a goofy knock-knock joke to remind her that your greatest joy in life is giving her her own joy.^{[9]
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- “Nice try, but you’ll never be as old as me!”
- “Happy birthday to the new model! I’m so pleased that the mini version of me came out way better than the first version.”
- “Here’s hoping all your wildest dreams come true on your big day. Just not the dangerous or illegal ones.”
- “Happy birthday to the coolest daughter around! One day, you might even be as cool as your mom. Dream big!”
- “Happy birthday! I'd bake you a cake, but we both know it's safer for everyone if I just buy one instead.”
- “Happy birthday to my funny, considerate, lovely daughter. Clearly, you get all your best traits from me!”
- “Keep calm and birthday on.”
- “Happy birthday! Are you old enough for me to stop paying your phone bill yet?”
- “Happy birthday! I promise to only tell three embarrassing stories about you today instead of my usual ten.”
- “Congratulations on surviving another year of my parenting! That's quite an accomplishment. Happy birthday!”
- “Happy birthday! Remember, you're not getting older, you're just becoming a classic, like your mom's music collection.”
- “Better watch out, you’re almost old enough to start taking care of your dad and me 👵👴, instead of the other way around.”
- “They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Sorry in advance for all my traits you'll discover this year! Happy birthday!”
- “Now that you’re older, I’m willing to admit that I kept some secrets from you as you grew up. For example, I made your cakes from a boxed mix, not from scratch. Also, you have a brother. Just kidding! Here’s something that’s not a secret: I love you. Happy birthday!”
- “I hope the toughest decision you have to make a day is whether to have another slice of cake. (The answer is always yes.) Happy birthday, darling daughter!”
- “Happy birthday to the prettiest, most intelligent girl in the world. (You’re welcome for the excellent genes.)”
- “Happy birthday to my favorite daughter (disregard the fact that you're my only daughter)!”

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Birthday Quotes for a Daughter

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Use a quote to lend your birthday wish some gravity. If you’re at a loss for words, let someone else do the talking! A fun, sentimental, or even profound quote about birthdays gets your message across (and makes you look quite cultured in the process). Choose a celebrity, author, or anyone else you and your daughter share an appreciation for, and write down a bit of the wisdom they’d shared.^{[10]
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- “Youth has no age.” — Pablo Picasso
- “No wise man ever wished to be younger.” — Jonathan Swift
- “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.” — John Lennon
- “We turn not older with years, but newer every day.” — Emily Dickinson
- “The old believe everything; the middle-aged suspect everything; the young know everything.” — Oscar Wilde
- “The way I see it, you should live every day like it's your birthday.” — Paris Hilton
- “The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” — Lucille Ball
- “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” — George Bernard Shaw
- “I love to think that the day you’re born, you’re given the world as your birthday present.” — Leo Buscaglia
- “I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born.” — Henry David Thoreau.
- “Every day is a gift. But some days are packaged better.” ― Sanhita Baruah
- “Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift.” — Aretha Franklin
- “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot
- “Every year on your birthday, you get a chance to start new.” — Sammy Hagar
- “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one who is you-er than you.” — Dr. Seu
- “You were born, and with you, endless possibilities, very few ever to be realized. It’s okay. Life was never about what you could do but what you would do.” — Richelle E. Goodrich
- “A child whose birthday is coming up is so excited, they count down the days. But as we get older, we seem to lose the excitement. We need to rethink and be happy we have reached another birthday.” — Theodore W. Higginsworth
- “Today, you have added another candle of knowledge and wisdom to your life. May it give you the power to enlighten the whole world. On your birthday, I wish you joy and happiness.” — Debasish Mridha

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Birthday Blessings for a Daughter

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Make sure that your angel girl feels blessed on her big day. If your family or your daughter has a special connection to religion or spirituality, write a birthday message that honors that side of your relationship. You could find an inspiring scripture or quote, or simply write a birthday wish that reminds your child of just how blessed she is. Here are some examples:^{[11]
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- “May your special day be filled with the same joy you bring into this world.”
- “God blessed me the moment you entered my life. I am thankful every day!”
- “May God bless and keep you always, and may your wishes all come true on this special day.”
- “When you blow out your candles, remember to take stock of the blessings that already exist in your life. I always count you as my number one.”
- “Today we celebrate you and all that you have brought into this world! You always strive for what is right, and that is the greatest blessing a parent could ask for.”
- “My prayer today is that you have another year full of growth, change, and happiness.”
- “To my angel on earth, have the happiest birthday.”
- “God granted me the greatest gift of all: You! I hope you have the best birthday yet.”
- “You always stay brave and loving in the face of adversity. That is all a parent can ask Him for.”
- “When I count my blessings, being your parent is at the top of my list. I hope this day brings you as much happiness!”
- “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’” declares the Lord, “‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” – Jeremiah 29:11^{[12]
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- “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26^{[13]
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- “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” – Psalm 91:1^{[14]
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- “For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.” – Proverbs 9:11^{[15]
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Emoji Birthday Wishes for a Daughter

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Use emojis to add some color to your birthday wishes. If you’re sending your happy birthday wishes via text, take full advantage of technology and throw in some birthday-related emojis.^{[16]
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- “Happy birthday to my special daughter! 🎂”
- “Blow your candles 🎂 and make a wish! 🌠 You'll never be younger than you are right now. 🎉”
- “It's your birthday!🧁 Hope it's filled with good friends and good times. 🥳 Sending you good vibes and plenty of love. 💕”
- “The big day is here! 🎈 Another year 🗓️, another gift 🎁. Treasure it forever the same way I treasure you. 🥰”
- “Here's to another year around the 🌞! Remember that the key to aging like a fine 🍷 is plenty of laughter (and, of course, plenty of actual 🍷!)”
- “My favorite girl’s birthday! 🥳 I love you!”
- “Through all the ⬆️ and ⬇️ over the years, I'm so happy to be sitting next to you on this rollercoaster we call life. 🎢 Happy birthday, sweetie! 🥳✨🎉💐”
- “Happy Birthday to my favorite girl! 💖🎂 So much love for you! ✨”
- “So proud of the woman you’ve become 🫂⭐ Happy birthday!”
- “Happy cake day!!! 🎂🎂🎂”
- “It’s your birthday, which means it’s time to PARTY! Have the best day 🥳”
- “Two decades behind you, but the best is yet to come. Happy birthday, my sweet daughter 🎊”
- “Happy birthday to the best gift I’ve ever received—my beautiful daughter 🎁”
- “Happy birthday!! It’s time 🕤 to celebrate 🎉!!”

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21st Birthday Wishes for a Daughter

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Give her some responsible well-wishes on her 21st birthday. Her 21st birthday is one of those big milestones, and it’s an exciting time for her to go out on the town and enjoy a taste of adult life. But, given that you’re her mom, you can also use this opportunity to give her a gentle reminder to keep things age-appropriate and not get too crazy.^{[17]
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- “Pop some champagne! (Just not too much, please.)”
- “Happy 21st birthday! Let loose and have fun 💃, but please save all the illegal stuff for when I’m no longer around to find out about it.”
- “Here’s a special cocktail 🍸 recipe for your 21st: 1 shot of laughter, 2 shots of a mother’s love, a splash of hugs and kisses, and a whole lot of tequila. Happy birthday!”
- “Just because you’re 21 doesn’t mean you can keep raiding the liquor cabinet. Yes, we knew all these years. You’re not slick.”
- “My birthday gift to you this year is a Bloody Mary and plenty of electrolytes tomorrow morning. Happy hangover! I mean, happy birthday!”
- “Happy 21st birthday! Remember that just because you can legally drink now doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Have fun tonight, always stick with a buddy, and make sure you have a ride home. Just not me, though. I’ll be asleep.”

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Long-Distance Birthday Wishes for a Daughter

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Tell her how much you miss her when she’s far away. Kids grow up and move away, and that’s just the way things go. But just because you’re not by her side for her big day doesn’t mean you can’t tell her exactly how much she means to you while still being a part of her celebration. Send her your love in a card or via text to give her some words from you that she’ll cherish all day.
- “Wish I could celebrate with you. Have a slice of cake for me!”
- “I hope you spend the day surrounded by friends and laughter.”
- “I used to get wild on my birthday when I was your age. So get wild for me! Just not too wild.”
- “All the miles between us won’t stop me from baking a cake and blowing out some candles for you. Thanks for the excuse to stuff my face!”
- “I’m missing you more than ever on your birthday. Just know that if I could, I’d be right there alongside you as you blow out your candles.”
- “You’re all grown up and living on your own, but I know that you’ve got plenty of friends around you to celebrate your big day. I’m always thinking about you, and today is no different. Even though you’re far away, I’ll always love you as though you were right here next to me.”

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Belated Birthday Wishes for a Daughter

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Send her a belated birthday wish if you couldn’t send one on the big day. Our lives are busy, and things often get in the way of wishing our loved ones well—work, emergencies, or plain old distance. Still, let her know you’re thinking of her, even if your message didn’t arrive in time for the celebration.^{[18]
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- “I’m late, but I’d never miss a chance to say happy birthday.”
- “Make no mistake: Just because this card is late doesn’t mean I mean it any less. I love you today as much as I did on your birthday!”
- “Apologies from your mom for the belated birthday wishes. Take this opportunity to celebrate again today!”
- “Consider this your I.O.U. for a birthday bash like no other. Next year, you and your mom are going to celebrate your big day like it’s your last!”
- “Happy 20 years plus 1 day to my special daughter. You’ve always been way ahead of me, and your birthday this year was no different.”
- “As long as I’m making up for missed birthdays, let me get next year’s birthday out of the way, too. Just kidding! Even if you didn’t get my card in time, just know that I was thinking of you all day. You’re my perfect daughter, and I’d never miss an opportunity to remember that.”