Today You Are Fourteen

 

My Dear Cruise,

Wow. I just can't believe how grown up you're getting! Despite the fact that it makes me feel incredibly old, I just love watching you grow up and become your own person. This past year has been crazy, especially since you had to do 8th grade at home and we are yet STILL in a pandemic. But you've been awesome through it all and I am so very excited for you to be able to go back to school and have an amazing year! I'm especially excited that you applied and got into Honors Art. That is going to be such a fun class and I know you'll continue to grow in your art and creativity. I am just so proud of you! You're going to do wonderful things.

Well, this year you got your very first grown up cell phone. I remember you getting your very first baby cell phone. It was an Elmo phone and you got it for your 1st birthday. You LOVED that phone and played with it all the time. You've had your hand-me-down iPhone for a whole day now and you already love playing with that one. 

My, how the years have flown. You used to be this adorable chubby baby and now you're an adorable big teenager. I love your sense of humor and how you never act like you're too old for Mom's hugs and kisses. I love that you can talk to me about anything and I love that you are so unique and your own person. I love that you write and draw. I love that you are so creative and imaginative. I love your confidence in who you are and your fearlessness to interact with the world. I admire that a lot.

I hope this year is good to you and that you'll get to learn all sorts of new things and make new friends. I hope you continue to develop your skills and learn more about yourself. I hope you continue to grow in the gospel and that you'll always lean on the Lord and your parents. We love you so much and we love who you are and the man you're becoming. I say it every year, but it's always true: I love being your mom! And I am so grateful that I am. It's never boring. 

I can't wait to see what you'll do this year! Have a great one, kiddo! Happy Birthday!

I love you so much,

Mom