You’re fifteen for a moment, caught in between ten and twenty…
You probably don’t know this song reference, but we’ll remedy that today.
15. Years. Old.
Say what?
When did that happen?!
I remember this toddler, who loved all things trains, said “Choo-Choo!” often, and would drop everything when he heard the sound of “ding-dings” going down, while at Hurley Park (near the tracks), to run and watch.
Now that boy has grown into teenager, who takes the same train line downtown to Jones College Prep, loves playing Pokémon Go and having independence to explore our city!
This time last year I was so anxious about and curious to find out where you would end up for high school and today you are almost a month in to your experience as a freshman at Jones, which seems to be such a great fit for you.
We never imagined you’d end up with three awesome schools to choose between: St. Ignatius, ChiArts (Musical Theater) and Jones. We were/are so proud of you for working hard and showing what you can do (on the entrance exams and with your musical theater auditions at ChiArts)! And deciding last spring wasn’t as clear-cut as I’d thought it might be.
You’ve handled transitioning from a small school with 30 classmates per grade to well over 500 with grace. It has been an adjustment, for sure, and you are learning what works for you, as well as what you need to work on.
It wasn’t easy when you found out that you weren’t cast in the Fall play, after getting a call back, but you took that in stride. And spending this semester as part of the stage crew will surely be a fun and interesting new experience.
You shined in so many other theater productions over the past year, from playing Victor Frankenstein in Horror High the Musical to Nick Bottom in A Mid Summer Night’s Dream, Papa Bear in Shrek the Musical Jr., Melman in Madagascar the Musical Jr., and, most recently, corrupt politician Senator Fipp in Urinetown.
You continue to love gaming (especially with your Nintendo Switch), reading, and building with Legos, as well as all things Pokémon and Harry Potter, even joining the Harry Potter Club at school!
We are so glad that you found a new friend this Fall at Jones, with whom you have so much in common. From talking with his mom at Parent Night last month, it sounds like his parents are equally excited that their son found you!
We had more awesome family adventures this year, that you relished, from the Hard Rock (all-inclusive) Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico, in April, where you discovered how much you enjoy Ninja Warrior obstacle courses, to Lake Tahoe, California, where you rocked (literally) our family hikes, especially the Shirley Canyon Trail!
I loved when you found a penny at the airport, on our way to Tahoe in August, and were excited to show it to me, knowing how much I appreciate, what we still think of as, signs from your baby sister Molly, 10 years after she was born and died. Anytime you find pennies or see butterflies, you let me know and I am grateful that we get to share those special moments.
You weren’t sure if you wanted to continue with Boy Scouts in high school and I think your decision to stick with it is wise. We are also happy you chose to go camping and hiking with your fellow scouts this past weekend at the Indiana Dunes, where you seemed to have the most fun yet on one of those trips.
There were so many big milestones this year, from making your Confirmation at St. Barnabas, with Grandma Jacquie as your sponsor, in January, to all the festivities surrounding your 8th grade graduation from Keller in June. Having been at a Keller, with many of the same students/families, since 1st grade made those last few months of the school year bittersweet for all of us. So many wonderful memories, as well as the many challenges you faced and overcame, and we are truly proud of you!
We also tried to make the most of your second and last year getting to be together with Abby at the same school. She looks up to you so much and you are so good with her! We appreciate you babysitting your little sister, so we can have date nights or attend parents only events at your schools. And we are grateful for how you are able to help Abby with her homework, sometimes even better than we can.
The older you become, the more interesting our conversations seem to get, from discussing current events to watching movies and TV shows together, including two of your favorites: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Saturday Night Live. Its fun to see how funny you find them and hear you roar with laughter! I also enjoy when you ask more serious questions about what is happening and then you share your thoughtful insights, as we do our best to explain.
You are learning the importance of standing for what you believe in, as well as taking action, when it comes to making our world a better and safer place for everyone. Participating in the March for Our Lives in Chicago with you, was another highlight of this past year for me, as it showed me how much you care about helping others and being part of the changes we want to see happen.
For the first time I asked if you’d prefer an experience over a more traditional birthday present and was excited when you embraced the idea. Going to see musicals with you is one of my favorite things to do and I look forward to introducing you to The Book of Mormon (which we think you are old enough for now, as opposed to when Daddy and I saw it awhile back) next month (for your gift)! Though you are already familiar with, and very amused by, the original broadway cast recording.
When I was growing up my family and friends often commented on how “easily amused” I was. I think that trait is one of many you have inherited and/or learned for me. I so enjoy laughing with you, with all of our inside family jokes from movies, songs, and the shows you’ve been in!
Thank you for all you have taught me over the past 15 years. It’s true that I learn as much, or more, from being your mom, as you learn from Daddy and me raising you.
It’s hard for me not to have expectations, for you and your experience during your high school/teenage years. And I am realizing that what I might want or hope for you may not be the same as what you want for yourself. And that’s more than okay.
This is your life.
Not a chance for me to have a do over through you…
That doesn’t mean I can’t live vicariously through you at times, which I do.
And I will still try to share some of the lessons I’ve learned, the hard way, when I was your age and beyond.
I get how important it is for you to learn, mostly from the choices you make and the paths you take, on your own.
You will make mistakes.
You will have regrets.
But, every day’s a new day.
And you will be what/whomever you decide you to be.
Fifteen there’s still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey fifteen, there’s never a wish better than this
When you only got hundred years to live…
More references to “100 Years” by Five For Fighting, which is one of my favorite songs and so àpropos on your birthday this year… I don’t recall seeing the music video before today, when I looked it up to share with you. It’s pretty cool.
Sean, you are so very loved.
I hope and pray you always know that.
Your grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, dear friends, and I all adore the intelligent, quirky and talented young man who you are, though we may not always show it as well as we could.
Here’s to another wonderful year in your life!
We’ll toast with our milkshakes at Jansen’s, your choice for your birthday dinner, tonight.
Cheers!
Love,
Mommy
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