Dear Mom,
Do you remember this picture? I do. I remember a lot about those days, when we were a family. Yesterday, I recreated this exact image with my daughter. Tess turned five on Tuesday. She's so excited to start school next month. I'm only scared that other kids will ask her about her family. I don't want to tell her that most of her family didn't want her. I don't want to tell her that Grandma and Grandpa wanted her to disappear.

I have no idea if this letter will make you love my daughter but I want you to know that she loves you. She asked me to send a picture of her to Grandma and Grandpa.

I guess I should tell you that Dylan and I got married last year. He looked me up and I didn't believe him when he told me that he'd changed. He really has, Mom. Even over the past year he's shown that he wants to be Tess's father again. He's for real this time.

I miss you, Mom.

Your daughter,
Mrs. Jayne Elliot.