A year of athletic accomplishments, academic growth, and lots of laughs. B is 14 and almost 6’ — but will always be my baby.

In short, E has thrived.

And yes, there have been challenges. But the grace and determination with which she has faced those challenges is something I admire tremendously. I’ve joked about this but I mean it: I want to be like E when I grow up.

Most of all I’m grateful for a kind, caring son who I know deep down loves me a lot even though I force selfies on him and ask him about his feelings. One day I like to think that he’ll appreciate those things.

I know that I’m biased but I am constantly impressed with this 7th grader. She is accomplishing things I’ve never done. I cannot put into words how proud I am of her and the beautiful, kind, determined, talented teenager that she is. Her future looks so bright and I’m so excited to be along for the ride, being her loudest cheerleader every step of the way. GO E!

My sweet B. How can he be 12 already? I know parents constantly say this but it’s so true… I don’t know where the time goes. Wasn’t he just running down the block, excitedly greeting his sister as she finished her day in Kindergarten? How is he on the cusp of middle school???

I know that things can change, especially during these “middle” years. Things that one day seem amazing turn into a disaster the next day. But I am loving the fact that the good days far outnumber the bad and can’t say enough of how proud I am of the young woman E is becoming. I am so honored to be her mom and be able to cheer her on from the sidelines as she basks in the glow of the spotlight. The place I’ve learned she LOVES being. Watch out world.

Starting with the day you arrived, a month early and with barely any warning, you’ve kept me on my toes. Most of the time I find myself still processing one thing you asked for/announced before realizing that you’ve asked for 3 more things. You rattle off stats, interesting facts, commercial jingles, news about your day, scores, etc. at such a rate that my head is constantly spinning.

From newborns to quarantine to all the times between, the chair has been there, supporting whoever sat down upon its cushions.

Yesterday we gave it up. In a few more weeks we’ll move out of our house and start a new adventure. I hope that whoever moves in feels the love that occupied this house and fills it with their own memories.

And their own special chair.

I see you as you are right now. You’re in this in-between world, a place where you want to be treated older than your years say you are and sometimes feel younger than your age, too. A place where you have strong opinions on things and don’t understand why others don’t just “get with it” and agree with your OBVIOUSLY right point of view. A place where you think that I don’t understand while also wanting to tell me everything. A place where it feels like so much is about to happen and you just want time to hurry up so it all starts.

I’ll tell you the same thing that was once told to me. Don’t be in such a rush for the future that you forget to enjoy the present. Live in the moment, enjoy your friends and family and what is happening now.

But through it all, B’s spirit has been, in many ways, the glue to this family. His joy and laughter and words (all the millions of words he speaks every hour of every day) bring so much happiness to our home. Although there are times that I wish I didn’t live with a live, never-ending, talking sports ticker (I’m not kidding he really doesn’t stop talking), I still wouldn’t change anything about him.