Feeling a Bit Reminiscent Today.....

Sunday, June 1 - the start of hurricane season (!) our baby, my girl, my darlin' turns 13. Thirteen years old -- unbelievable. We had a party last night - a barbeque actually, complete with 20 of her special and closest friends (one of whom (not mentioning any names...) is a little more special than the rest!!! Hmmmmm!!! Am I right Sabrina???? Oh yes I am ---YES I AM - you know I am!!!!) Anyway, tonight is a special sushi dinner (at her request) and presents -- waaaaaaay too many presents! After all -- you only turn 13 once.

I can't help but think back and remember exactly what I was doing when I was getting ready to turn thirteen. My grandma that I loved so much had just died, I had just finished 7th grade at Lee Burneson Junior High and our house on Bradley Road in Westlake, Ohio had just sold and we were packing up to move to Dayton Beach, Florida. I spent the entire week saying good-bye to friends on the front porch of our cute little white house across from the grape vineyards and thinking about how dramatically my little small town life was about to change. But what I remember most of all -- I remember my mom and I in the car following my dad who was driving the U-haul truck containing our entire lives-- and we cried the whole way from Ohio to Florida. I think we both left our hearts behind when we moved. It was one of the worst years in my life - Thirteen.

I'm so glad for our girl it's such a happy time -- turning thirteen. Being a teenager is such a magical time -- it's a time of "firsts," and this morning we spoke of some of the amazing events the next seven years will bring. In so many ways she's still a little girl -- but in so many others she's growing up so fast.

I have to admit, being a teenager in Ft. Lauderdale (which is where we eventually settled after moving from Ohio) wasn't such a bad place to spend my teenage years. I spent every day during the summer at the beach, working in my parents store with my mom and dad that was one block away from the beach, cruising the "strip" with a car load of my girl friends on Friday and Saturday nights, "spring break," etc., etc. I have many stories to share with my kids about my teenage years. (Some however, I'll keep to myself !!)

Anyway - Happy Thirteenth Birthday Little Girl. And as your teenage years begin to unfold one by one, and you are faced with challenges -- both good and not so good, remember to draw upon -- the common sense and integrity we have tried to instill in you, the will and determination you inherited from your grandpa, the kindness and gentle sensibility you got from your meemaw, and the wonderful heart and spirit God has blessed you with.

YOU Sabrina, are loved -- immensely.

XO