I feel like I just wrote how crazy it was that my daughter was starting middle school and here we are, with her mere months away from starting high school. But before I freak out about the future…a little about the past year (or, really, the past THREE years of middle school).

Her middle school time was filled with incredible success and experimentation. She wanted to do everything and learned some valuable lessons in prioritizing and having to choose what things mattered the most to her. She enjoyed both QuizBowl and Select Choir, but realized she couldn’t commit to those activities after 6th grade. She loved the theater and especially musicals but had to give up the musical in order to participate in the HS synchro season in 7th and 8th grade. However, she made up for it by signing up for Musical Theater as one of her electives both those years.

She discovered tennis was something she enjoyed and played on the MS Tennis team all three years. She went on the trip to Washington DC the summer between 7th and 8th grades and had her first experience traveling without her parents. She was great…we were…fine.

She was recognized as being a leader and was asked to be a guide for incoming 6th graders during their orientation. She was invited to play with the HS orchestra several times. She made the A Honor Roll every quarter, for all three years. Her teachers compliment her critical thinking, her attitude, her kindness, her effort, her inclusivity. And this year she had two new accomplishments: she was encouraged to try out for Honors Choir (and was selected) and she participated in Mock Trial and was recognized by the advisors as someone with talent and drive.

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.

And as if that all isn’t enough…then there is synchronized swimming. Once she reached 7th grade she was eligible to join the HS team. After swimming on a club team since she was in 4th grade, this was a completely different experience — more pressure, more competition, more demands. It was a lot to get used to as a 7th grader.

But, because she’s E, she shined. She made it to state and placed for all of her routines including FIRST PLACE for her solo (short category), 4th place for her trio (short category), and 6th place for her team routine (long category). A tremendously successful FIRST TIME state appearance. And lettering in a HS sport as a 7th grader is a pretty awesome accomplishment, wouldn’t you say?

And what do you know? She qualified for state AGAIN this year. That starts later this week…she has a solo (extended category), duet (long category), and team (extended category).

Last year full of ribbons after qualifying for all routines for state and this year full of ribbons after qualifying for all routines for state!

So, as she gets ready to leave the middle school for the last time in a few weeks, let’s look back at the year that was through quotes, pictures, and memories.

After school was complete E and I got to share a religious experience…we saw Taylor Swift when she was here.

The way she loves her puppy.

“You’re so cute I want to die.”

A couple of times when the first thing out of her mouth might not be exactly right.

Going to a different part of Florida (east coast vs Gulf of Mexico side) & I tell the kids that I’m sad because we won’t get to see the sunset on the beach.
E: “Does the sun…not set in Florida?”

and

Doing a crossword puzzle. Hint is “the people celebrated in June.” Without missing a beat she wrote “gays.” The answer was dads.

Our little performer, performing. In the water or on stage, it doesn’t matter. She loves it all.

The first-place solo performance from the State competition:

Sharing the stage with her dad during a 4th of July gig, singing Valerie:

Performing with her musical theater class in High School Musical:

Plus, she had the honor of performing twice at her aunt’s wedding in the fall. First a special number for Marc and I…our first dance song. This is a piece of it during rehearsal:

Then a song during the reception:

It was a beautiful day, filled with wonderful memories.

Always having fun in pools during vacation… sometimes it’s being a mermaid, sometimes it’s practicing her synchro routines, sometimes it’s hanging on her brother.

Seeing the teen come out in funny ways, like when we were watching The Amazing Race and her spending a chunk of time each episode obsessed with two contestants’ hair. Specifically, one time when they were emotionally talking about their family and she says:

“They really have very healthy hair, both of them. Tell me your secret!”

The balance of the big observations/thoughts and the little.

After winning mock trial & having an incredible day at the UofM, E’s had three big takeaways:
1. “The UofM is really pretty, I can see myself going there.”
2. “I would consider a career in law. I really liked this experience.”
3. And the biggest: “I actually enjoyed the mustard that was on my sandwich for dinner.”

Synchronized swimming problems.

“I just got ice cream in my hair. But it’s not the worst thing that’s been in my hair today so it’s ok.”
(stated the evening after a full day of a sychro comp with gelled hair)

ALWAYS being ready for a photo.

Or to take one of unsuspecting little brothers.

And if a character is called for in the pic, she’s on it.

I am so thankful to have such a talented, beautiful, kind, funny, considerate, and caring daughter. And I get to see how amazing she is as a sister:

The relationship between father and daughter:

And, of course, the relationship we have.

After all the successes in middle school, I can only imagine what high school will bring.

E, as you grow older the rewards will grow but so will the effort needed. The things that may have come easier before may prove to be more challenging. I hope you keep your determination and work ethic but also remember to enjoy this phase that you are in. Stop and smell the roses…or the chlorine, given where you spend a big chunk of your time. Enjoy the moments—they fly by. Trust me.