This morning, Lucy woke up and said through the monitor, “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, Lucy,” I replied.

After a brief pause, she asked, “Mama, why didn’t you say good morning?”

At first, I was confused.

“Well,” I told her, “I was responding to your sweet ‘I love you, Mom.’ I didn’t even have a chance to say good morning yet.”

She thought for a second and then said, “But you always say good morning to me, Mom. It’s how you wake me up.”

And just like that, something clicked.

I hadn’t realized how important those two simple words had become to her.

Every morning, I greet Lucy with an enthusiastic “Good morning!” and a smile. It’s not something I’ve ever put much thought into. It’s simply how I choose to start our days. I want her to wake up feeling loved, welcomed, and excited for what lies ahead. I want our home to be filled with positive energy because, quite honestly, I believe every day is a gift worth celebrating.

But until this morning, I didn’t realize that what felt routine to me had become meaningful to her.

In that moment, I saw something bigger than a greeting.

I saw the power of consistency.

I saw the power of words.

I saw how the little things we do every day often become the things our children treasure most.

As parents, we sometimes think the big moments are what matter most—the vacations, the birthdays, the special traditions. Those things are wonderful. But often it’s the small, ordinary moments that quietly shape a child’s world.

A smile.

A hug.

A bedtime prayer.

A kiss on the forehead.

A simple “good morning.”

The truth is, our words and energy set the tone for so much more than we realize. Not only for our children, but for everyone around us.

This morning was a reminder that what may feel small to us can feel enormous to someone else.

And I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.

Because now that I know how much my “good morning” means to Lucy, it means ten times more to me.

So tomorrow morning—and every morning after that—I will make sure she hears it.

“Good morning, Lucy.”💛☀️

Not because it’s a habit.

But because it’s one more way to say, “I’m so glad you’re here.”