11/01/2025
“Toddlers and Tiaras (and Grace)”
Every morning as I’m getting myself ready, my 3-year-old loves to play dress up.
She slips into her little pink plastic one-inch heels with Cinderella on the front and struts around my bedroom like it’s a red carpet event.
“Click clack, click clack,” go the sound of her tiny pink heels across the floor as I brush my teeth and style my hair. As I carefully run the electric toothbrush across each tooth with such precision, I feel a tug at my pant leg.
I look down — and there she is, my daughter, gesturing for me to help her step into her matching turquoise tutu full of frills and sparkles. Her face lights up as I pull the fancy tulle up over her waist. And just like that, she’s off — running out of the bathroom, smiling with excitement over her new ensemble.
I stand by the doorway, watching and admiring her dance and sing along to music from one of her favorite YouTube channels.
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Not long after, I watch her prance over to her toy chest. She digs around like she’s searching for buried treasure. After some sorting — and a pile of toys now spread across the floor — she finally pulls out a beautiful crown fit for a princess: shiny and silver, with blue feathers and a giant sparkling jewel.
She places the crown on her head and spins and twirls in delight. I smile and giggle at her innocence and imagination. She has made my entire day.
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I head back to the bathroom to finish my morning routine. But before I can, I feel something tugging on my pant leg once more.
I look down again, and there she is.
“What’s going on, baby?” I ask with a gentle smile.
And out of nowhere, just like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, she reveals a pink crown from behind her back.
She reaches up toward me as if trying to place it on my head. I lower myself and bow my head down, and she crowns me with the pink feathery tiara — with such gentleness and care. She looks up at me, smiles, and then gallops off, heels clicking again.
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Suddenly, I feel empowered.
I, Andrea’s mommy, have been officially crowned.
In that moment, I feel seen.
All of the hard work I pour into caring for her and her brother every day — the doctor appointments, the meals, the cuddles, the wiping of little noses — all the things that so often go unnoticed…
In that single act of being crowned, my daughter made me feel like a queen.
She reminded me that I am seen, that I am special, and that my role as “Mom” is important.
In my daughter’s eyes, I am royalty. 👑
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So, my dear baby girl Andrea, thank you for reminding me of who I am. Thank you for putting the crown back on my head. And thank you for reminding me of the love that God has for me, even when it may be hard to love myself.
I’ve been thinking about this moment a lot. Something about my daughter placing a tiny tiara on my head felt so symbolic. I didn’t quite have the words for it then, but now I do.
In all my mess, and on the days I want to give up, my daughter saw me as something more. She saw me as worthy of a crown.
It’s a reminder that we don’t have to be perfect to have worth — that we are loved by God simply for who we are, imperfections and all.
And that’s grace.
© 2025 Chelsea Edwards| Women With Confidence Therapeutic Services, LLC
💫 Excerpt from my upcoming 30-day devotional for women and moms, “Just Grace.” Stay tuned for release updates!
