the little things: Dear Caleb, You Are Thirteen

1.08.2017

Dear Caleb, You Are Thirteen

Dear Caleb,

On January 6th, 2017 I became an emotional wreck. You are 13 years old. And for some reason this became something deep inside of me. This was a milestone. Like your first steps. The day we cut those beautiful curls from your head. Your first walk to Kindergarten. Your first T-Ball game. All these firsts that are deep lines within our memories. These moments that we will always have to look back on. I felt it more because I know these days forward are part of the grown up person you are becoming. All along, I've seen your personality shining. And now the world is starting to see what I've had in my hands from Day One. This incredible person that you are.

Before you are here. Before that moment of your arrival. Before you land into our hearts, we become dreamers. Your parents think up all these big days ahead and fit you into them. And then when you finally become YOU we realize that all along, we had not even imagined a fragment of what potential you had. In this picture, we had not realized what all you were capable of. And that is where the beauty is. When you whisper your truth into our souls. When all along, we were the ones who would be listening.

These years ahead, the teenage years that will begin to form so much of who you will become... There is so much for us all to learn.

Thirteen wears you hard.
Thirteen looks at the changing face in the mirror.
Thirteen makes friends with enemies.
Thirteen decides in an instant that you're in a bad mood.
Thirteen tests the water.
Thirteen is shy and uneasy.
Thirteen is loud and unearthed.

Thirteen demands to be heard.
Thirteen stands up for themselves in weak moments.
Thirteen is delicate, but will be the last to admit it.
Thirteen pierces the soul.
Thirteen is hungry for the world.

Not for one minute would I wish your world to be different. Because I know that it will come to you in quiet, undisturbed moments when you think to yourself. These days in front of us are not meant to be easy. They are meant to define your footing in the journey ahead.

We will not agree all the time. But we were never meant to.
We will not be gentle all the time. Because the rough waters tell us what we can weather.

Whatever meets us in these next years, I want you to know that we are here for you. Always. We love you so much, even in the difficult moments. We want you to succeed. We are proud of you. Every. Single. Day. There is nothing that you can do that will make us love you any less. I hope you always know that, Caleb. That face in the mirror, has defined infinite love, in so many ways.