What do I see?

I think it's happening. Others told me it would. I laughed and said "no, that's a long way off." I'm talking about the transformation that has suddenly taken place in our twelve-year old daughter. Our little girl. She is our only daughter. A sister to three brothers. She is smart, talented, creative, beautiful, and just plain good. Always has been. It seems like overnight, she has become a new person. She is still all of those things I just described to you. But, now, she's growing up. When I look at her, I see her pretty face looking back at me. A face that has started to wear mascara. And, sometimes even trying to sneak on a little eyeliner. Even though we've told her "not yet" on that. I see a smiling face, wearing silver braces. Her hand, automatically in place to cover those braces when she laughs. I notice the way she spends a lot more time standing in front of the mirror in the mornings, when I think she should already be at the door watching for the bus. I am impressed at the precise skill she has mastered using a flat iron. Turning her blonde wavy hair into super-straight, shiny golden tresses. I see her, as she tells me she wants to put some color in her hair. Dark brown. Or maybe even blue or pink. And, I tell her of all the women who pay top dollars to get gorgeous blonde hair like hers. To this, I see a little bit of the eye rolling. I see her messy room with clothes laying everywhere. I hear her complaining that she needs some new jeans. And, I see her long legs and how cute she looks, wearing those Aeropostale jeans that she loves. I see her with her girlfriends, giggling and talking about how cute Jasper Cullen is. I also see her holding her little pink cell phone. It seems to be permanently attached to her hands, fingers constantly busy, texting important messages to everyone she knows. Yes, I think it's happening. Our daughter is turning into a teenager. You know what? I like what I see!