17.

 

Seventeen.

 

Amazing how seventeen years can go by in the blink of an eye. You brought us into parenthood, and now we are on the brink of seeing you enter manhood. Thankful for this one more year of not-quite on your own, this one more year of you at home and still a kid.

You have lived in five different houses now (if we count that condo in Kentucky), and two countries.

You have played countless hours of hockey, only after a short stint with gymnastics. You have learned to love music and books, movies and the stars.

 

And food. That too.

You have learned to seek God and wrestle with who He is and what it means to follow Him.

 

 

Consistently you have been a calm presence in our life. There has always been a maturity and ease about you, and a humor that comes at just the right moment.

 

Now that you are more man than boy, we could not be more proud.

We have loved every minute of watching you grow, of coming to this point.

 

You are strong, so intelligent, mature and at ease with being you. What a great moment in your life. So much is open to you in the coming months, and we know it means greater independence for you and our time to step back and allow you the space to step out. We are still your biggest fans. We love watching the hockey, we love hearing about what inspires you. We love seeing you grow.

 

 

Every stage has been awesome. Can’t wait to see this next unfold…

I have to throw a Buechner quotation in, just for good measure:

“The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us.”

 

Enjoy this last year of “childhood”. We know you are going to do wonderful and good things in the coming year…there is so much yet to see and do in your life. We love you!

 

 

Happy 17!