Dear Celeste,
Today was the first day of your sophomore year. You were so excited this morning, and I couldn’t help but take a deep breath and watch you walk into the school. You have grown leaps and bounds from 2 years ago when you walked in our door. You hold your head up high, you have confidence, your laughter comes easily and is more genuine.
Sophomore year is a year that changed my life. I had biology (as you will next semester) and was seated alphabetically next to Aunt Stacey. One day we were lab partners, and 19 years later we are family. You never know what days are going to change your life. The day I sat next to her, I sat next to the person who would get me through some hard days in my life. I sat next to the person whom I would laugh and laugh and laugh with. I sat next to the person who would save my Mom’s (Grammie’s!) life. I sat next to the person who would stand next to me at my wedding, and help me catch my breath moments before I walked down to meet Casey and say “I do.” I sat down next to the person who would love you and your sister immediately and without hesitation, because you are an extension of me and my dream to be a foster and adoptive parent.
You never know the days that will change it all – I hope this year you continue to be open to meeting new people, to developing new friendships, to practicing how to be kind, how to manage your time, and how to figure out who you really are.
Life is so way better after high school, but if you’re lucky, you are choosing people right now who will be with you along the way. And 19 years later, you’ll be remarking on the silly things you did when you were a sophomore in high school.
We love you – first, most, forever, more!
