On Being Just Who You Are...

My baby - I hope that you grow up being able to own who you are, were, and who you want to be.  No one is perfect so those three people I just mentioned have their faults I'm sure. As your mom I'm not so good at seeing those faults because to me you're my perfect baby boy. I know, and it's my job, to tell you that the outside world does not think even remotely closely to the same way I do about you. About anyone, really. When I say own who you are I mean acknowledge your faults with the intention of self improvement, but not the pressure of self recrimination and hits to your self worth. I want you to know the difference between a fault, a quirk, and a preference.
A fault is something that prevents you from expanding or growing at minimum, and at its maximum is something hurtful to you or others. Anyone worth their salt in your life should have your best interests at heart and help you change and not busy themselves with constantly pointing out faults and nothing positive to say. This is because people close to you in your life should want to take that journey of expanding past each other's faults with you. If they want you to go it alone while thinking theyve got nothing to change,  (or what's worse - knowing they do but focusing on you so they can ignore the work they should be doing on themselves) you're better off without them. Trust me.

A quirk is something that doesn't fall within the norm but format hinder you. When Aunt Emily says "do you" this is kind of what she means. Own the quirks. They're what make you you. And if you're with someone who doesn't like your quirks, either say F 'em, or decide they're worth the effort to change it. Usually I've found,  the people worth it will eventually or immediately love those things about you.
A preference is a malleable way or condition in which you like things to be, or be done.  A modification isn't a cause for concern but blatant repeated disregard can be damaging to a relationship but the onus is on  you to speak up for yourself in an effective way. 
I just wanted to talk about this with you so as you grow up, if you need a reference to the complicated world of who you are and how to be happy with who you are, you've got one right here.

My adorable baby boy - I mean Batman, I love you very much.