Dear Mercedes,
Happy 17th Birthday! On a cold Friday the 13th
much like today, you made your dramatic entrance into this world, and
truthfully the (delightful) drama hasn’t stopped since! It makes me feel
incredibly old to be the mother of a 17-year-old, but you also keep me
perpetually young at heart. Nothing fills my cup more than driving in the car
with you, windows down, singing along to loud music, cracking jokes, laughing
together, sharing gossip. I know that everyone LOVES their kids. And I do, I
love you so incredibly much. But I also actually really LIKE you. Hanging out,
laughing, shopping, going to concerts, snuggling and watching tv or crying at
sad movies while sharing chocolate… it’s really some of the best moments of my
life.
They say that teenagers pull away a bit as they get older –
soon enough you’ll be moving out, off to spread your wings at university as a
young adult and figure out your place in this world. And I do feel it a bit –
especially now that you have your ultimate freedom in the form of a driver’s licence.
You don’t need me as much, you have an active social life, we don’t have as
many opportunities to hang out… and I’m ok with it, because I know it’s the way
it’s supposed to be, and I absolutely love seeing your independence flourish.
But I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t make a little sad that I don’t get to see
your beautiful face as often. So please, life your live, enjoy having probably
the most perfect adolescence in history – but also, don’t forget your dear old
mom. Don’t forget about our concert adventures and movie dates and Taylor Swift
and our summer drives – even if you don’t *need* me to drive you around
anymore, I still *need* you, kiddo.
I can’t wait to see what this next year holds for you – your
last year of ‘kid’ and your launching pad to university and beyond. I just know
it’s going to be awesome, just like you.
Love,
Mum
