Ah, Meghan. I’m both ready and not ready to have a teenager.
13 came so fast! It’s bittersweet to see you enter your teen years and I reflect on having my first child become a teenager with so many conflicting emotions.
I’m ready because I am having so much fun seeing the young lady you are becoming.
You make me proud the way you value character and are brave enough to hold on to it in a world that seems to value the opposite. You make me proud when I see you steadfastly going after your dreams. You make me proud the way you say you don’t love school, yet work hard to stay organized and do your best. (Being organized goes totally against your genes, so I’m extra proud. I know how hard you have to work for it!) Oh, and the way you treat other people? That makes me proud, too.
I’m not ready because I know how fast the first 13 years went and don’t want the next 13 years to go as quickly.
One day you were twirling around the living room, asking for another song you could dance to before bed, the next you were spending countless hours at the dance studio, just as anxious to keep dancing even when you’re sore, tired, and it means you’ll have to stay up late to finish your homework. How can it be that you’re just a few years away from driving and another few years from high school graduation?
Slow down, time, just slow down.
I wouldn’t change a thing about you because I love you just as you are. Even the part of you that hates vegetables and wants to eat candy for breakfast. I love every part of you and I need you to remember that, always.
You’ll make mistakes. You’ll disappoint your parents. It’s inevitable, baby girl, and it’s a part of growing up. So don’t let those times allow you to question who you are or how much you are loved. Own up to your mistakes, apologize, and try to do better. But don’t expect perfection from yourself because it’s unattainable and not worth chasing.
I know that in the coming years you’ll keep learning, growing, and figuring out who you are. Just remember that God made you perfectly and hold tight to that knowledge when the world tries to tell you that you’re not enough. You are.
I want to remember the things you love right now, as you turn 13.
At this age you love…
…dance more than anything. Ballet, jazz, tap, and modern, but especially ballet.
…reading, reading, and more reading. You stay up too late reading, would spend an entire afternoon reading if you ever had one free, and you always ask if you can read at the dinner table. We usually say no, but sometimes we let you.
…spending times with friends whenever you get the chance.
…rollercoasters. You’re fearless when it comes to rides!
…fashion and clothes. You have a unique style and show your personality through the fun outfits you put together.
…photo shoots. By yourself. With friends. You love taking and being in photos.
…sugar. You always ask, “Is there dessert?” even when you know there probably isn’t.
…shopping. You love shopping for clothes, room decor, pretty much anything and you are fun to shop with!
You are a blessing to our family and we love you oh so much. Happy, happy birthday, Meghan! Enjoy your teen years–they’re going to go by quickly!
I love to write on my children’s birthdays. Here are my posts from birthdays past:
When Your Daughter Turns Eleven
To Meghan on Her 10th Birthday
Why I Think I’m Going to Like Having a 9 Year Old
6 Things I’ve Learned in 6 Years of Motherhood
great to hear about the experience
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It is so sweet that it made me cry, now I am 24, and I still remember my childhood years and how pleasant it was to spend time with my family. Just recently I found narrative essays that I wrote in elementary school, it was just about the family, about what I loved then and everything changed so much… Thank you for bringing back such memories.
Very warm article. Indeed, when children grow up, it becomes a little sad. Your story touches the soul of every reader. For me, the most important thing is to hug my children. https://www.techsling.com/why-you-should-be-giving-receiving-more-hugs-10-benefits/ You will find out how important it is. I do this many times a day. I am extremely glad that I read this article. Now I understand that, at first glance, simple hugs work wonders. The benefits of hugging are described here in plain language.
Very warm article. Indeed, when children grow up, it becomes a little sad.
Thank you for writing every year. They are such a priceless documentation of the grandchildren that we love more than words can express,but somehow you manage to capture that love and make it real for all the world to see. We love you Meghan.
Nana and Poppy
I write them because I love going back and reading them. It’s the most self-indulgent thing I do on this blog. 🙂
I can’t believe she’s 13! She sounds like an amazing young woman. Such great advice advice for her too. Happy birthday!
Thank you, Kelli. ❤️
Awww! Happy Birthday Meghan! I’ve been here since she was little. Hard to believe! My oldest son is 14 and i feel the very same way!
Thanks for following along all these years.❤️