I recently had the privilege of being in a room full of 20-some little princesses. We had a princess party, where I got to don a tiara and read my book My Princesses Learn to Be Brave to a gaggle of girls decked out in fancy dresses.

After I read my book, they asked me questions about being author (one wide-eyed girl couldn’t believe the book-writing process took so long—she said she could make a book way faster than a year!). And best of all, we talked about what it means to be a real princess.

“How did you come up with the idea for the story?” one girl dressed like Elsa said.

I was happy she asked. Because while it’s fun to wear a pretty dress and embrace the wands and the sparkles, what I really want girls to know is this: it’s even more important to be beautiful on the inside. And while they may meet their Prince Charming one day, there’s a lot more to life than “happily ever after.”

As I looked around at those precious faces surrounding my reading chair, I desperately wanted them to know they are already loved—more than they could imagine or hope for. They are adored daughters of the King of Kings, which makes them the truest kind of princess. And this King delights in creating beauty in them—not only on the outside but in their very character.

I didn’t say all this to them in the moment (after all, there were pink-frosted cupcakes to be eaten and bookmarks to be decorated). But as these little princesses grow up, this is what I pray they’ll come to know, deep in their souls.

Being beautiful isn’t what you look like; it’s about who you are becoming on the inside.

You don’t need to go out looking for love; you are already loved beyond words, beyond comprehension.

You don’t ever have to wonder if you’re pretty enough or smart enough or good enough. You are God’s daughter, and in him, you are enough.

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Note to Moms/Grandmas/Friends: If you’d like to host a princess party for the little princesses in your life, I’d be honored to come and read my book and answer questions. Have tiara, will travel!