Happy 18th Birthday, Ethan!

Here's the letter I wrote to Ethan for his birthday...

Happy 18th Birthday to my first born. The day has arrived where society & law says you're now an adult. Looking through 18 years worth of pictures & videos brought so. many. tears. I feel emotionally overwhelmed as I try navigating through immense sadness for years that feel like they flew by far too quickly while feeling incredible joy from the privilege I have had watching you grow. It feels surreal that we’ve hit this milestone. Nothing prepares you.

E, I want you to know it has been the most wonderful experience of my life to be your mom these past 18 years. As a barely adequate & hardly capable young adult trying to raise multiple children, you gave me a lot of grace & we’re so patient as I tried to navigate parenting. Thank you. We both grew a lot together, you & I.

I will continue to always be available to you, with anything & everything, should you ever need me. I will continue to be front & center as your number one fan, cheering you on in everything you do, louder than anyone else. Watching you grow into adulthood is going to be a wild ride & I promise, I am here for it. So, as bittersweet tears stream down my face, I want you to know that I am incredibly proud of you. You’re kind, funny, smart, empathetic, thoughtful and so loving. I will watch with eager eyes as you take on the world. What else is there to say but Happy Birthday, son. I love you.

Love always,

Mom

*****

For Ethan's birthday, he originally planned to go to the beach with his girlfriend, Izzie, after he got off work but it ended up that she couldn't go. So, he went with Dad to get some lottery tickets, just because he could, but the lady didn't even card him! BOO! Then they went to get some supplies for his party was was going to be on the 6th. For dinner, he requested corned beef and cabbage...his favorite meal. Then we did gifts. Caleb gave him mint colored Vans and we gave him $500 towards a guitar he's been wanting. We also gave him $500 to invest in the stock market to start learning how to build wealth which he's very into. The next day was his birthday party with all his friends. They played games (including hide and go seek in the dark, which they always play), went into the hot tub, talked, ate pizza, opened gifts along with singing Happy Birthday with ice cream cake.

Happy 18th Birthday, Ethan!