Happy 18th Birthday!

 November 1, 2023

Dear Alex,

I have been writing letters to you since before you were born. For 18 years, I have expressed my love, pride, and hopes for you through these letters. I can’t believe I am writing a letter for you to read at your Senior Retreat. 

When I picture you in my mind, I see a baby with fat cheeks and huge brown eyes. I see a toddler in a Spiderman costume. I see a boy playing in the ocean, shooting hoops in the driveway, and doing flips on the trampoline. But now when I look at you, I see an amazing young man. One who is a good friend, a capable and diligent student, and a loyal and loving son and big brother who truly lives by the motto Family First. And if you ever doubt yourself, take a moment to see yourself through my eyes, and you will be reminded that you truly are a gift to this world. 

It has been a busy fall of essay writing and submitting applications. I know you are anxiously awaiting decisions as you get ready for the next stage of your life, but promise me that you will enjoy your Senior Year. The past 6+ years at Gilman have been a time of change, challenges and accomplishments. Celebrate each of these and the experiences yet to come as you approach graduation.

One more request, and I know this may sound cheesy, but cherish the moments you have with us, your family, this year. Because no matter where you land next fall, we will always be your home. So promise to save us some Friday nights for Family Movie Nights!

I love you with all my heart 💗,

Mom

….to be continued on your 18th birthday

December 10, 2023

Alex, 

The above letter was a surprise and was read to you at your Senior Retreat. And while the letter itself may have been a surprise, I am sure my words were not. You know how much I love you. Actually, you know that I love you, but I don’t think you could ever really know how much. Over 18 years of letters and I never could truly put into words just how much my heart loves you. 

The moment you made me a mom, I knew I would never be the same. It was as if my purpose for living was made clear to me. In those early morning hours of December 10, 2005, I knew that you would forever be “my person.” And now in what feels like a blink of an eye, here we are, 18 years later. And I am so proud.

Even though you are 18 and all grown up, I will always be your mom. You will always be my baby boy. I am here for you forever. But I hope, in some ways, I have done my job and given you the tools you need to go out into this world and make it a better place. And if you ever falter, just remember Gilman’s motto “in tuo lumine lumen.” Always know that in your light, we see the light. You are the light of my life, and now is your time to shine that light for the world to see. 

I could never love another human more,

Mom

Happy 15th Birthday!

 Dear Izzy, 

Happy 15th birthday! I say it every year, but I can’t believe it! Time is going by too quickly. It feels like yesterday we were celebrating your third birthday with a tea party or your tenth with a sleepover. This weekend we will celebrate with family brunch and a Morgan Wallen concert! 

This week you started high school, and I am so excited for you. You are going to be challenged and endless opportunities are going to be at your fingertips over the next four years. You are playing JV field hockey and got voted team captain. And I love that you and Alex have back to back classes with the same teacher for Computer Science and you get to see each other during the day. 

We went on some great trips this year. Key West for New Year’s, Universal Studios for President’s weekend, college tours with Alex for Spring break, and the beach. After the lacrosse season ended we headed to the beach for a month. I loved spending time with you at our favorite place. 

As much as I miss that little curly-haired girl, I love watching you as you grow into a beautiful young woman. You have become more independent and reserved. Your reserved nature makes you introspective, thoughtful, and you tend to sit back and observe the world around you before putting yourself out there. Maybe you are a little shy and maybe you are scared of being hurt by others, but know that everyone in this world would be lucky to have you shine your beautiful light on them. 

I know this time of your life is a time of learning, change, and a quest for freedom. As your mom, I will try to respect your need to pave your own way. But believe it or not, there will be times when you will need guidance and advice, so know that I’m always here for you. There is nothing in this world you can’t tell me. I will be here for you cheering you on and encouraging you for all of your life. No matter how old you get, you will always be my sunshine, my best girl. 

I love you,

Mom

Happy 11th Birthday

Dear Zachary,

Happy 11th birthday to my baby. I am so sorry that I’m not home to celebrate. But I know your grandparents and brother and sister will spoil you today. And I promise to make it up to you. Just wait and see😉. 

I can’t believe you are in 5th grade. You are doing so well in school, and I am so impressed with your work ethic and your effort. When you make mistakes and are given the chance to make corrections, you always do, even if that means extra homework or raising your grade from a 96% to a 97%. You also have had some cool successes outside of the classroom. You auditioned and made the Treble T’s choral group, and you made the travel basketball team this year. You are also playing lacrosse and flag football. You are hoping to play tackle football in middle school. You enjoy “working out” with dad in the basement and shooting hoops in the driveway with Alex and Izzy. You love to play football at recess with your buddies. 

This year we went on trips to Turks and Caicos, UNC and Key West. We spent lots of time this summer at the pool and the beach. You love being in the water and fishing too. 

I love you so much, and I’m pretty sure I’m still your favorite person in the world. I don’t know how long that will be the case, but I am relishing every minute. I love the loyalty you have for your whole family. You are the youngest in our family of five, but in some ways you seem like an older brother. You are always looking out for your brother and sister, and you love picking on them too. You are a best friend to Stella and a great big cousin to Scarlett and Chris. You are sweet to your grandparents and aunts and uncles. You can tease like the best of us , and that evil grin and your love for inappropriate jokes always manage to get a laugh. You think you are a teenager and always want to hang with the teenagers in our family and with Alex’s friends. Over Christmas break, Jake and Luke spent the night and nothing made me happier than the midnight nerf battle. There was no doubt that you and Jake were going to beat Luke and Alex 😜. 

You still give the best hugs. Now when you hug me, you are almost as tall as me. It won’t be long until I’m officially the shortest person in our family. But you know what I’m going to say next, no matter how tall you are or how many birthdays you have, you will always be my baby. 

 

I love you so very much,

Mom