Happy 16th Birthday, Avery — you are my perfect gift!
Getting to be your mom is truly my biggest joy. I remember on the night that you were born, after everyone had left the hospital, I laid you on my lap and looked over every inch of you! You were so small and so perfect. I couldn’t think of anything that I would change about you – not one thing … and I still feel that same way today.
You are kind, clever, smart, funny, and gentle. If this world had more like you, it would be such a better place.
I feel like your 16th birthday is the start of some imaginary countdown clock that is ticking away at the minutes I have left with you at home. The time is running faster and faster with every year that passes and I can’t seem to slow it down.
There are so many things that I feel like I have left to teach you and to show you; things that I want you to understand and appreciate fully before you are catapulted into the world. Most of all, I want to protect you, because when I look at you I still see the little boy that you were even though I know that you are nearly grown.
This school year – your junior year – is said to be the hardest. I know that you will ace it because you always do (even if it gives me convulsions in the process.) But, with all the AP classes and SAT tests and grueling homework assignments, I hope you make time to have fun. Football games with the band (congratulations on section leader, btw), the Homecoming Dance, hanging out at IHOP .. these are the days. You will remember these times and these people forever!
In the process of this year, please remain true to YOU. Don’t change for anyone or anything. Every aspect of your personality and your character is so on the mark. You have such incredible integrity and your moral compass is true north. The fact that you have coupled that with the best sense of humor and “brains” is hard to match. People might want to make you feel less than, or that you should conform to “the world” – but hang tight to who you are. You are the real deal.
It would be remiss to skip over the one thing that every 16 year old is excited about … driving. I might never sleep again worrying about you on the road. (Actually, it’s not you I’m fearful of, it’s the other idiots that I encounter on a daily basis.) I know that the day you leave the house unaccompanied will be the day that anything lacking in my prayer life is caught back up. Please be careful and promise to obey all the laws and never drive over 15mph. I’m not sure my heart can take the anxiety.
I know that you know, but I’m saying it again (and I can clearly see you rolling your eyes) – I will do anything for you any time, any place. I am always on your side and will move any mountain in my way to help you. Not just for this year, but for always. You have my heart and my love forever.
Happy 16th birthday, Avery. You are going to do great things.
I love you,
Mom
