Sixteen and all the stars

MAMAAAAAAA!!!

You exclaim with your big huge smile and sparkly eyes, skipping over to entangle yourself in my arms. You are the happiest version of you, and I love it. You make me smile with the words you say; tumbling and swirling over each other, weaving stories, peppering every sentence with little anecdotes. You make me laugh with the silliness that spills out of you so naturally.

Your quick temper still flares from time to time, but you are learning how to harness it, to channel it into passion for something bigger. And as has always been the case, you are not someone who can be stopped. You are like water, always finding a way through.

I don’t know many 16-year-olds with an 80s-themed playlist on Spotify. You are always up for a side quest, a road trip, or the chance to belt out Like a Prayer or Time After Time at the top of your lungs. In fact, after hearing Berlin’s Take My Breath Away so many times, I had no choice but to rewatch Top Gun, though I can’t deny we both appreciated a bit of Tom Cruise...

With your Silver Duke of Edinburgh already under your belt, you are already setting your sights on the next challenge and boldly declaring, “Gold.” No hesitation. No overthinking. Just: next!

You are still deciding which path to take, and right now the possibilities feel endless. Which one will bring you the most satisfaction? The most purpose? The most respect? Those are the things you have always been searching for. Because deep down, you want to be seen, to be heard, to be respected.

You are never wrong, obviously, and you are gloriously opinionated. But your determination is one of your greatest strengths. You will go to the ends of the earth for the people you love, especially your friends, just to make them happy. You create the most thoughtful gifts, the kind that involve chasing people across the world for personal letters and crafting something so meaningful it can bring me to tears.

You truly listen to people. You notice what matters to them. You say things like, “I have to get this green blanket because it’s her favourite colour and she loves soft, snuggly things.” You know your people. You know what sits close to their hearts. And only someone with a heart as big as yours could notice those quiet little truths.

You are fierce, funny, passionate, determined, and full of life. Still growing, still figuring things out, still charging headfirst towards whatever comes next. And what a privilege it is to watch you become more and more yourself.

My super cuddly angel, you are my shining star. xx