Dear Addie,
And then you were a teenager. The big 1-3. How did we even get here? I mean, weren't you just seven yesterday?! How is it that I feel like somehow we've lived so much more life than that of a thirteen-year-old but also blinked, and here we are - thirteen?
*7 year old Addie - 13 year old Addie
Ah yes, thirteen, the age of independence and opinions. Some might be surprised to know that you are full of opinions these days, especially when it comes to what you wear. A fashionista in the making? Perhaps. While I go for fit when picking something out for you to wear, you go for coordinating colors and style, which I don't hate and I do actually find it rather impressive; it just reminds me of the rapid rate at which you are growing. Like when I see you in pants that look four sizes too small and shirts that are not intended to be crop tops, it reminds me that after 18 years of raising kids and you pushing 5'11", I still need to do the great annual clothing purge. A parental job in our house that is apparently never done, But I digress.
Thirteen, an often noticeable change of maturity, and in the past couple of months, we've seen it. We are thankfully in an era of calm with less anxiety and experiencing more and more of the world around us which has been so fun for all of us.
Addie, we have put in some years that felt heavy and hard, but getting us to where we are today was all worth it. Welcome to your teenage chapter, baby girl.
Love,
Mom