For years we looked out at the waves coming in and going back out again holding our Daddy's hand. We stood there with our toes in the sand staring out at the beautiful sea of love. The sun would set and rise again and still we would be standing there. Some waves that we wished would have reached us and carried us away crashed pitifully too soon. Others came very fast and powerful and we ran away as fast as we could. They left little shells that we collected, knowing that we were beautiful and that we were wanted. We were little girls in sun dresses with baskets collecting shells. The sea fascinated us but daddy told that we weren't ready, that if we let the waves get us we would drown.

Eventually, we let go of Daddy's hand and ventured closer to the waves. He would watch his princess playing by the water and prayed that she would not let it carry her away when she was so little. A couple times a strong wave would come and almost knock us down, but we regained our balance. Our feet were wet but we still owned our hearts.

Daddy again told us to be very careful. Once you leave this shore, you can never come back. Don't give away your heart too quickly. He told his girl that the sea had no right to claim you until it could provide a way to carry you forever. He didn't want his girl to drown or have to swim on her own.

Years passed. She was tired of watching the sun rise and set in this place. She longed to venture out on the beautiful sea. But she was waiting, remembering her father's words.

And, then it came. A large empty sailboat floated to shore on one of the most beautiful waves she had ever seen. It was one of those waves that softly hit the shore but seemed to have no problem spreading itself across the entire beach. The foaming water barely hit her toes where she was sitting holding her basket from her childhood. She was looking at all the unique shells and rocks that she had gathered over the years. The wave beckoned again, barely touching the top of her toes. Not threatning to drown her, but inviting her to an exciting adventure of a lifetime.

Her father was watching. He noticed the gentleness of the wave. The wave hit her toes again. Her father noticed the patience persistence.

She dropped the sea star and other beautiful treasures back into the basket. Standing up and shaking the sand from her dress, she turned slightly to wave at her father. He smiled. She turned away leaving her father and the basket behind and walked in the water towards the sailboat.

From a distance, daddy watched and a tear fell down his face. The sun was setting and his princess was now a queen.