Happy Birthday! I am so very, very proud of the young man you are growing into. No matter how old you get, though, you will always be my baby! I just need to remember to stop treating you like one. I promise that I’m working on it!
This year has been an amazing one with you. I am so very grateful for all of the time COVID gave us. I honestly don’t know of any other teenage boys who would take daily walks with their mom and chat about all of the diverse topics we chatted about. When you went back to school full time in February, not getting to walk and talk with you was tough for me. I am so very thankful that on days off, you still like to do this. I feel that, through these walks, I’ve gotten to know you better as a person, not just my son. I truly like the person that you are. You are so insightful and wise beyond your years. You also have a great sense of humor. I wish more people would go beyond your quiet exterior to get to the real you.
You have accomplished so much this year. You completed your first year of high school under very weird circumstances. Not only did you make it through, but you thrived. Your study habits have gotten much better. Your writing has gotten more refined. You also branched out of your comfort zone and joined Latin Club and Book Club. You took the initiative to reach out to teachers you didn’t know to get more information on other clubs that were unfortunately cancelled due to COVID, just to let them know you are interested for next year. I am so excited for you that you were able to take an elective this year that sparked a fire in you for your future and are continuing to build upon that with not one, but two AP courses in that area next year. I am so proud that you were pushed out of your comfort zone and had the courage to sing AND dance on stage this year and will be performing at the Memorial Day celebration, even though singing in public isn’t really your thing. Your courage and strength are inspiring.
This year did bring about the added benefit of not just one, but two, additional black belt levels for you. Now, a short year later, you’re a second degree black belt. That takes a lot of dedication to be able to test twice in less than the span of a calendar year. Your father and I are so proud of the passion you have for karate (we wish you’d put that same passion into cleaning your room, but that’s a topic for another time ;) ). I am so proud that, when you were finally able to because of age and COVID, you took on the role of instructor. It’s wonderful to see you do what you’re passionate about. I know things still aren’t “normal”, but I promise, they’re getting there.
This winter, you continued with learning to snowboard. You gave in and let someone help you. Because of that, you were exposed to a whole new level of snowboarding and gained the confidence needed to head down the black diamonds. By the end of the season, you had found a passion and learned just how much fun you could have.
This coming year is going to be a big one in teaching me to let go. Please be patient with me. I’m not ready to let go of my baby, but I’m really trying. I may still hover at times and bug you, but that’s also my job. I do promise to let you test out those wings of yours, though, so you can soar to brand new heights.
I love you with all of my heart.
Mommy