Being a parent is by no means easy, but it is certainly a very rewarding experience. However, there comes a time when every parent has to let a child go and give them a chance to navigate the world on their own.
Country singer Martina McBride had her turn recently when she said goodbye to her 19-year-old daughter, Emma, who is moving to LA to pursue her dream of becoming an actress.
While Emma's move is a big deal to her family, it isn't really a surprise. About ten years ago, Martina admitted that although her daughters, including Emma, have inherited her singing talent, they aren't keen on making a career out of it.
"They've both got great voices, but I can't get them to sing in front of anybody," explained the mom. "They won't go onstage and sing. I've offered and asked and begged and pleaded. They're just not interested in that, so we'll see. I'm sure there will be some aspect of performing in their future. They're just not interested in singing right now."
McBride also revealed that her daughters were interested in other aspects of the entertainment industry. At the time a 12-year-old Delaney was taking dance classes while a nine-year-old Emma was hoping to pursue acting. Her youngest child, Ava, was only 2-years-old at the time.
The McBride sisters are now grown up, but one thing still remained the same: Emma's dream of acting in Hollywood.
Just like most mothers, McBride was emotional about saying goodbye, but nonetheless supportive of her middle daughter's decision. The award-winning singer penned a heartfelt note to her daughter on Instagram and you might want to grab some tissues before you read it.
A few weeks ago, McBride posted a photo of her and Emma at the airport along with a bittersweet note to express how proud she is of her courageous decision to follow her passion.
"There were a lot of tears in our family today," McBride wrote. "Emma moved to LA to embark upon her acting career. It didn't hit me until after I got back home from the airport that she isn't just going on a visit ... but moving out of our house ... maybe for good.
An emotional McBride acknowledged that she'll miss having her daughter around, but she knew that this day would eventually come because her girl had always wanted to be "a film and TV actress."
"I have no doubt she will give it everything she has," the singer continued. "And the world will fall in love with her. Because she has that kind of magic, and that kind of heart."
"Emma I have so much more I could say here ... but I've said it to you in private. You know I believe in you and I'm so proud of you my brave, sweet girl. I love you," Martina ended the note.
What many don't know is that this isn't Emma's first time in L.A. Back in 2012, McBride and her family moved to the West Coast for some time while Emma took a couple of acting classes and workshops.
"My middle daughter, Emma, has always wanted to try her hand at acting and so we have enrolled her in a couple of acting classes and workshops in L.A. this month so that she can see if it's something she wants to pursue," McBride wrote in a blog post a few years ago.
She continued, "This could be the beginning of realizing her dream, which is a beautiful thing. I know how supportive my parents were at her age and how they did everything possible to help me be able to sing wherever and whenever I could and I'm happy we can do the same for her."
Those acting courses weren't the first time Emma got a taste of being an actress. In 2011, she appeared in her mom's music video for "Teenage Daughters."
Check out her skills in video the below:
With a supportive mother like McBride, who also has experience in the entertainment industry, we're sure Emma will find success in her endeavors.
