When we started writing these birthday letters all those years ago, it felt like we would have a lifetime to spend together before you turned 18. I know that realistically the fact that you are turning 18 tomorrow doesn't really change anything between us. The real changes have been happening all along. You have grown up from my little peanut to the incredible person you are today. And I know you will continue to grow and change throughout your life. This is a good thing. It is the sign of a healthy well-adjusted person. But this birthday, even more than all the others, makes me stop and appreciate not only the path behind, but how much more our paths will diverge in the future.
Over the past year I have watched as you continued to master certain aspects of life while also having to take on new challenges. With school you have continued to achieve high honors even in subjects that are more difficult for you to master. I am so proud of your drive to always do your best. When you take on a challenge you like to see it through, and you like to prove that you can master each task. This drive will serve you well throughout your life. Don't forget to keep the end goal in mind. Sometimes we take on challenges that are harder than we anticipated. This can be a great vehicle for growth, but it can also come at a great cost. Remember that finishing something for the sake of finishing is not as important as why you took it on in the first place. It can be hard to admit that the cost of success is too high. It is easier if you remember the why. Why is this important? Is the reason still valid? Don't let pride get in the way of achieving happiness. Make sure the things you strive for are the things that will bring you joy.
This year you have also had to make decisions on what you will do after high school. What you want to study. What experiences are most important to you. What cost you are willing to pay. And then you have had to navigate the process of narrowing down your list of schools, applying, and learning about each in order to make an informed decision. You have approached this task with great maturity, and have done well to do so while balancing all the other parts of your life. I loved watching you in soccer this past year and will miss it dearly. You have continued your hectic dance schedule and even found time somehow to nurture a wonderful new relationship. I am so happy that you have found a person who so obviously makes you very happy! I am glad you have worked so hard to ensure you have time for each other. It shows not only great maturity, but also great character.
I am a very different person than I was before I became your daddy. Being your father has been and will continue to be one of the best parts of my life. For so many years our day to day has involved each other, and even though the last few years have brought you greater and greater independence, you have still been an important part of my every day. It will be very hard over the next year as we continue to experience "last" events. Last dance recital (I will be a mess!). Last day of high school (there are not enough tissues in the world to cover graduation). Last year I can pretend you are ours before we have to share you with the world. I intend to do my best to steal time with you while you are still home, and hope that we always are able to make time for snuggles and shared interests. I am so proud of you, and so excited for all the opportunities you will have, and just hope that you will always find ways to fit in some time with your daddy.
I love you so much!
Happy 18th Birthday!
Love always,
Daddy
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