Happy 18th Birthday Sweet Girl!

Photo Credit: Rachel Monteleone

Dear Katherine,

Every year I start these letters the same way. How is it possible that you are turning ______. But really?! So here goes :) How are you turning 18? In my mind, you are still the sweet little one. The baby who completed our family. Every time I go to Whole Foods, I picture you, sitting up on your knees, so you could reach your chicken fingers as we had lunch before shopping. Now, if you want Whole Foods chicken fingers, you can drive yourself there. Time really is a crazy thing.

At this time last year, you were working so hard to prepare for college auditions and applications. School work and dance training were pushing you to your max and I often wondered if you were working too hard. Over the course of this year, I have thought often about conservations that I had with your dance teachers early in your training- when you trained and trained and trained and it seemed like it just wasn’t paying off. I so distinctly remember saying to your teachers that I wanted a crystal ball- to know that keeping you in dance was the right decision. They kept insisting that the lessons you were learning would make you a better dancer and more importantly, a stronger person. All I saw then was a disappointed little girl. But they were right. Inside that little girl, an amazing human was growing.

This year, you have made big decisions. You have chosen to pursue dance professionally and you were admitted and will attend Point Park- a school whose conservatory has been on your wish list for years. We are so proud of all the hard work that made this possible. But I am also inspired by your choice. Yours is a brave choice in a world that craves financial stability and job security. I love that you are confident and ready to enter this world, knowing that it won’t be easy but also that you have what it takes to pursue your dream.

This year has also been full of amazing friendships for you. Your ability to find friends and maintain friendships that bring you joy is a true gift. It is worth noting and as a mom, in a world full of mean girls, it is something I feel so grateful for. You have navigated high school surrounded by people who support you and love you. You have maintained long term relationships and also welcomed new friends into your world. I know this is not accidental. It is a result of you being an amazing friend yourself and sensing what is good in people. This is a remarkable ability.

There are so many reasons to celebrate you today. I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful day and year to come.

I love you sweet girl!

xo,

Mom