Happy 18th Birthday Caroline!

Dear Caroline,

We knew this was going to be a big year as you would be a senior, apply to college, go to the prom and graduate. You loved your senior year as only a ‘school enthusiast'- a term we invented this year when we realized that you love school so much you even loved weird hybrid pandemic school. You loved your time as Varsity Soccer Captain, DECA CEO,  Lead Peer Counselor and newspaper managing editor. You applied early and were accepted to your favorite college, The University of Richmond. 

While this was all amazing, you also managed the world of the pandemic as an extrovert with parents who followed pandemic restrictions strictly. This was difficult and you were often really upset and frustrated but you did it and we are incredibly proud of you. Through this you learned (as we have always known), that your friends love you so much, they will come and sit outside (the only place we wanted you to socialize) in the freezing cold just to see you- frozen fingers and toes aside. 

We knew this year would pose challenges with the pandemic and the college process. But we never could have predicted the biggest challenge and lesson that came to you this spring. You had a grand mal seizure and an epilepsy diagnosis soon followed. Your driver’s license was suspended for six months. You have to take medication twice daily and alter your lifestyle in other really significant ways. None of this has been easy. There have been lots of tears and anxiety but there has also been so much love. We have watched you grow up years worth in just the past few months. You are making really tough and really mature decisions to keep yourself healthy. We know this is far from easy and we are so proud of the decisions you are making every day. 

While it’s one thing for your parents to tell you they love you, this spring has been amazing as you have learned how much you are valued by your community. At graduation you received the Somerville Award which is presented annually to the one girl and the one boy who exhibit excellence in academics, leadership and service. This is the biggest honor bestowed each year and you earned it. You loved your time in high school and high school loved you back. I really can’t think of a better ending to your time in the Ridgewood schools. 

Today you turn eighteen and in just a matter of weeks you will leave for school. I am so sad to see you go but also so proud to know just how ready you are for the big wide world. Truthfully, you’ve been ready since you ran manically through the yard in the photo below but now it is really time. It is time to share your awesome-ness with even more people and I can’t wait to see where this next adventure takes you. I’ll be right here waiting to hear all about it.

Happy Birthday sweet girl. I love you so much.