[Verse 1] Eighteen summers came and went Lord, where did the time all go Seems like yesterday you were a little girl Standing at our door Life wasn't fair from the very start Some folks let you down But you picked yourself back up somehow And kept your feet on solid ground [Verse 2] I've watched you fight through hard days When your mind just wouldn't slow I've watched you study late at night When you wanted to let go You've seen your Daddy and me grow old Through sickness, fear, and pain And more times than you'll ever know You helped us stand again [Chorus] I didn't carry you beneath my heart I didn't bring you into this world But I held you when you cried at night And watched your life unfurl So if you ever wonder where you belong Or if you're worth fighting for I chose you then, I'd choose you now And I'd choose you forevermore [Verse 3] You're the first child of my first child That makes you special still A blessing wrapped in stubborn grace And a heart that's strong as steel Now you've found somebody of your own A boy with scars and dreams And I smile because you see the good In places others never see [Chorus] I didn't carry you beneath my heart I didn't bring you into this world But I held you when you cried at night And watched your life unfurl So if you ever wonder where you belong Or if you're worth fighting for I chose you then, I'd choose you now And I'd choose you forevermore [Bridge] Your mama gave you life, that's true But life is only where love starts And every scraped knee, every school play You were growing in my heart No paper, blood, or family name Could ever make it more real You're my daughter in the ways that count And that's exactly how I feel [Final Chorus] I didn't carry you beneath my heart But you've always lived inside it And every mile, every memory Has been a blessing, don't forget it So when you walk across that stage this year Know what you've always been before My little girl, my answered prayer And I'll love you forevermore [Outro] Eighteen summers came and went Lord, where did the time all go Seems like yesterday you were a little girl Standing at our door
