Princess

Dear Lucia,

From time to time, people may call you a princess. Although you are not technically a princess (I am no king or any sort of royalty), these people have the best of intentions and only mean it as a compliment. You are being held with the highest of regards when they call you "princess". So, for the most part, it's OK.

A good example of a princess was Elizabeth I. She overcame the execution of her mother and imprisonment to become Queen of England. She didn't even need a king as she was famously called "The Virgin Queen". As far as leaders go, Elizabeth is a fine example of a princess.

A modern day princess that should be recognized is Princess Diana. Princess Di, as people liked to call her, survived the infidelity of her husband Charles to be an inspirational leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS and landmines. Sadly, she died in a car accident in Paris, but her legacy as a compassionate advocate for those less fortunate will live on.

However, Elizabeth and Di are exceptions to the princess rule. Most see princesses as dainty, pretty, living a charmed life, not as strong, independent leaders like Elizabeth and Di. The idea of a princess is limited to the superficial even though it is meant in a positive manner. There's little room for autonomy, intelligence, and strength as you will observe in several Disney movies.

I won't call you "princess" (unless we're playing a make-believe game in which you insist on being the princess). I won't put that on you. That's a lot to live up to regardless if we're talking about Elizabeth I or Cinderella. The only thing you have to do is be the best Lucia you can be. If others want to call you "princess", so be it. To me, you will always be my Lucia, the one who sings, plays, and explores the world around her.

Love,
Dad