A letter to my son on his 12th birthday -

This was a big year – 2020 pandemic/Covid aside. There were many, many changes.

You finished elementary school.

Your voice changed.

You’re now taller than both your grandmothers AND your mother. (Rude.)

You started middle school.

I stare at you sometimes, searching for the hints of my baby boy. He’s still there. I see him when you let me snuggle you at night (begrudgingly). I see him when you share some of your inner most thoughts with me. I see him when you get excited about something – a video game win, permission to stay up later, or when you know a trip is coming up.

You are on the cusp of adolescence. You no longer want to spend the majority of your time with us, content to be alone reading, on the Xbox or riding bikes with friends. You eat all the time, and I mean ALL. THE. TIME. First lunch, second lunch, dinner, snacks, bedtime snack. I can’t get over how much food you can put away. And you just keep growing!! This time next year, you might be close to Dad.

You’re going to start figuring out what type of man you’ll be. Life lessons are being tossed out right and left. You’ll have your fair share of struggles and you’re going to learn some very hard lessons. But we’ll be here for you regardless. We are here for ups and the downs.

I know that this past year has been hard. Being away from most of your friends has been frustrating, as has virtual school, but you’ve persevered. Dad and I are very proud of you.

This next year is a big, fat question mark. Will you get to return to school? Will you get to play ball, see your friends? We just don’t know. But what I do know is that whatever happens, you’ll manage.

We love you so very, very much.