Dear Celeste,
Happy 17th birthday! I can’t imagine where this year has gone. A moment ago, you were blowing out a pile of brownies turning 16, and before that 15… and yet here we are.
You’re about to embark on your junior year of high school. Full of classes, clubs, SATs, ACTs, games, dances, and laughter. Looking at colleges, wondering, dreaming, and fearing the future all at once. Holding your childhood close, but independence is even closer.
“I find my mind wandering
Back down this old road
In my trusty time machine
My thoughts on overload
Child of mine your light still shines
Where did the time go?
It’s here there and everywhere
Always fast and never slow
And you’d say
Are we there yet?
As we drive into the sun
We are almost there my love
My innocent one
A picture perfect moment
A moment we could share
Laughter from the back seat
We’re always almost there..”
-Colin Hay
We’re almost there, Celeste. 365 days and you will be an “Adult”…. or at least you’ll be 18. But remember, you are part of a family now. You will always have our love and guidance as long as we are on this Earth. The end of high school and turning 18, isn’t really the end of anything… it’s truly a beginning. You will love, laugh, cry, scream, be heartbroken and joyful – life gives us the whole package. And we have to honor each part, because they all matter and we learn from it all.
Thank you for being part of our family. We will never regret fighting for you, advocating for you, and choosing you as our daughter. In fact, it is among the greatest decisions we’ve ever made.
We love you first, most, forever, more…
Mom and Dad
