I’ve been singing a lot of Disney songs to my daughter recently, and it’s choked me up a few times.

Behold:

“From the day we arrive on the planet… There's more to see than can ever be seen… More to do than can ever be done… More to find than can ever be found…”

- “Circle of Life” in The Lion King, written by Elton John, Hans Zimmer, Lebohang Morake, Tim Rice

“I don’t care what they’re going to say… And the fears that once controlled me can’t get to me at all… It’s time to see what I can do… I’m free… I am one with the wind and sky… I’m never going back, the past is in the past…That perfect girl is gone…”

- “Let it Go” in Frozen, written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez

“Unbelievable sights, Indescribable feeling… A hundred thousand things to see… With horizons to pursue…”

- “A Whole New World” in Aladdin, written by Alan Menken, Tim Rice

“Barely even friends… Then somebody bends… Unexpectedly… Both a little scared… Neither one prepared… Bittersweet and strange… Finding you can change… Learning you were wrong…”

- “Beauty and the Beast” in Beauty and the Beast, written by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman

“But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger… You'll learn things you never knew you never knew… And we are all connected to each other… For whether we are white or copper-skinned… We need to sing with all the voices of the mountains… We need to paint with all the colors of the wind…”

- “Colors of the Wind” in Pocahontas, written by Stephen Schwartz, Alan Menken

“You may think a sweep's on the bottom-most rung… Though I spends me time in the ashes and smoke… In this ol' wide world, there's no 'appier bloke… A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be… Good luck will rub off when I shakes 'ands with you…”

- “Chim Chim Cher-ee” in Mary Poppins, written by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman

“Birds don't just fly, they fall down and get up… Nobody learns without getting it wrong… I won't give up, no, I won't give in… Till I reach the end and then I'll start again… I wanna try even though I could fail… Look how far you've come, you filled your heart with love… I'll keep on making those new mistakes… I'll keep on making them every day…”

- “Try Everything” in Zootopia, written by Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Sia Furler, Tor Erik Hermansen

“My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm… This bond between us can't be broken… I will be here, don't you cry… From this day on, now and forevermore… You'll be here in my heart always… When destiny calls you… You must be strong… Always, I'll be with you… Always and always…”

- “You’ll Be In My Heart” in Tarzan, written by Phil Collins

Charlotte, I hope you consider these lyrics when deciding how you want to live your life.

This universe is a glorious mystery we’ll never fully understand, but we can appreciate and surrender to its magnificence.

It doesn’t matter what others think of you, be who you are and be free.

The world is a wonderland to explore and experience—go see it.

Relationships can be scary or hard sometimes, but you can always choose to love. Life is better with love.

All people on this planet are equal, and you’ll learn from those who are different. Contribute to the beautiful human mosaic.

You choose and make your own happiness, regardless of life’s circumstances. Be happy simply because you can.

Failure is nothing to fear because failure is learning. You’ll live a richer life if you try new things.

I will always be here for you, as long as I’m living and beyond. I love you.