A glass slipper, pearl-drop diamonds, a laced silk gown. Quietly confident, elegantly graceful, intentionally soft, a sparkling presence.

Something within, quietly waiting to be realized. What might that be?

A princess heart.

Not the kind found in a far off fairytale or distant kingdom, but the kind that moves through life everyday with grace, elegance, softness, and love.

The gentle and graceful princess God so perfectly and patiently adorned. Jesus is king and I, his daughter. A princess of the Lord’s kingdom.

I have been nursing an ankle and foot injury these past couple of weeks and moving more slowly and doing a little less than I usually like to. But through all of this, I began to notice something. Every step requiring intention, every movement more gentle and soft, every action intentional and mindful, every part of my body feeling like even more of a blessing. Life was somehow softening more tenderly and every movement more thoughtful.

In this slowing, I realized something beautiful.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have felt so connected to and in awe of Disney princesses. As I have grown up, I still love all of those princesses and have also grown to love the romance and elegance found in stories like Bridgerton or in characters like Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl. Each reflects something I have always been drawn to: grace, beauty, femininity, devotion, and the belief that life can be lived with intention, tenderness, and love.

The princess adornments I have admired since I was a little girl have never been meant to only be adored in and remain in those stories. They are meant to adorn life. And as that of a princess.

Not just a crown or a title, but the princess God always created me to be. And for me to carry myself in grace, tenderness, beauty, and love.

Once a lost princess now a found and loved princess, graciously stepping into acceptance of the throne. Here I am and here I’ll remain.