fifteen

 

Oh my most fabulous girl, you are fifteen!!

Let me just say, kiddo, that you are more than I could ever imagine God giving me for a girl.  You are just the most perfect fit. 

Fifteen years ago I looked over and saw you for the first time and you were tiny and pink and FIRED UP.  I mean mad about the whole situation.  But then they wrapped you up and handed you to me and your big eyes never closed and you took it all in.  And by never closed, I mean never.  I have never in my life seen a baby so nosey.  The first time I remember you sleeping was in front of a loud brass band at the Christmas parade.  And they say babies need quiet.  

Girl you have done some things this year and it has been so fun to watch.  You left middle school in the dust and took on high school.  We have learned from those awkward years but may we never look back.  We are a forward people!  

High school looks good on you sister.  I could show you some pictures of me in high school and I’m gonna say you’re killing it.  May we be ever thankful that walking shorts and sweater sets have moved over and made way for Lululemon.  And since YouTube and TikTok now exist the world is your oyster in the land of hair and makeup.  The Belk Clinique counter pales in comparison to Sephora and Ulta Beauty.  You’re welcome for our generational suffering.  May your skin benefit greatly and may the fountain of youth ever be upon your high priced products.    Wear sunscreen.    

My Kate, you are a joy bomb.  You are contagiously fun to be around and also get the job done.  You are no nonsense and can still very much get FIRED UP just like the day we first met.  And mercy look out when you do because you will have some THINGS TO SAY.  You are most fired up when people are treated unfairly or when people say things that are rude to you or your friends.  It is not often but I’ve learned just to sit back and listen.  And then maybe to go buy you some ice cream if it’s really bad.  We believe in the Sonic blast. 

You love a list and a plan and you love to check off the list and execute the plan.  You make lists for everything - the week, the outfits, the studying, the trips, the packing.  It is the most intricately detailed color coded situation and I love it because I can barely throw some clothes in a bag or remember to buy some toilet paper.  You also do not forget.  You remember to thank people, to encourage people, and you write tiny notes to say that you love us and put them in our bags.  The world needs more people like you.  Everyone would be happier.  

You are a runner.  And I do mean you’ve done some running this year!  It has been the most fun thing to watch you do so well but also how much you love your team.  When you were in third grade and decided to try running I remember turning around in the car and telling you before the timed trials, “hey now is a good time to pretend like you love running” because while I knew you had it in you, I never really knew what we were going to get.  I also knew there were some highly competitive people taking things real seriously out there which you would be oblivious to.  And you took it real seriously and still do.  Well, you take it seriously enough, with a large margin left for both social and fashion outlets.  It’s a good balance.  You also do exactly what is expected of you every time and turn around and cheer on your team and no one could ask for more.  

You love a good trip.  I mean, me too, but you can get some things handled on a trip, especially if a beach is involved.  We are our best selves by a body of water.  Would you like and Airbnb?  You’re on it.  I will get forty-two texts of options if I give you a destination.  You have perfected the art of finding food and or shopping on road trips and the use of google maps.  “Turn right in point two miles.”  You can hunt down a Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Chick-fil-a like a champ.  If there’s a gas station with a yogurt bar you will find that too. You will also always have snacks.  You are the queen of road trip snacks.  Apples? Cheezits? Starburst minis?  Yes.  And can make a peanut butter sandwich from the passenger seat if needed.  

Maybe your most epic orchestration of events to date was THE Taylor Swift concert.  Sometime back in October you began signing up everyone in the house as fans of Taylor Swift.  In November you handed out codes to all of us with instructions to GET THE TICKETS.  You were nice about the instructions to GET THE TICKETS as you offered to Venmo for said tickets because “they are going to be expensive” but you did in fact hand out presale codes - three of them - to us as you left for school.  So what were we to do with all of this but GET THE TICKETS?  We got the tickets.  Between your daddy and me it took all day and the world stopped because Taylor Swift crashed a ticket site and I had no idea what I was doing or what a big deal this apparently was but somehow when I was about to give up as the Lord would have it the computer let us buy some tickets - in what would turn out to be the nosebleeds but you cared not.  

And this is where you began to shine.  There were lists and outfits and earrings and bags and plans six months in the making.  There have been record albums and playlists and Amazon orders and pink sparkly cowboy boots and a sequin top in the perfect iridescent sparkly that was two sizes too big but nevermind we can just fix it.  And we did.  YOU HAD A VISION.  And nothing, and I do mean nothing, was standing in your way.  And we sang for nearly four hours from the tip top of Nissan stadium and it was worth it all.  

And this my girl, is the perfect example of who you are.  When your mind is made up there is nothing standing in your way.  It is a yes and it is a yes for all involved so you better get on board.  I followed instructions really well on this one - so well that I had to actually discuss this event with my medical team but that’s a story for another day.  The point is you were right and it was epic and we had all the fun and I now am a proud owner of a Taylor Swift hoodie for reasons I cannot explain other that your joy is contagious and go big or go home.  

Sister I just don’t know what I would do without you.  You are my right hand girl and stick really close to my side which is just fine with me.  You tolerate and now maybe even like my antique store excursions now that I have found some with vintage clothing options and you are maybe even the tiniest bit into my estate sale finds.  You have your own style and a good eye for mine too so I think this is going to work out really well.  I feel good about where I am on this goal.  Next up we’ll work on the plants, but there’s time for that.  I can pretty much talk you into anything if there’s a latte involved.  So hostas and hydrangeas and lattes for next year’s goals. 

It is my greatest joy to sit back and watch what you are going to do next because if you think it you can do it.  You are a maker of things - jewelry and art and music.  I love watching you perform because it is so far removed from anything I could ever do which is really the best part about having kids - they are a part of you and also their very own person that you get to watch turn into big people with ideas and dreams you never considered.  You are a doer and you get things done.  If you are given an instruction, it will get handled and it will get handled well.  Other people know this too and that is why you are asked to help, because you are a helper and you will most consistently deliver what they ask.  

You take care of all of us, especially your brother.  My word what is he ever going to do.  His clothes will not match and his hair may not look as good.  He certainly won’t be able to find his keys and he will need a lot of advice.  I imagine he will walk around asking “where’s Kate?” to his roommate because that’s what he does if you’re not here even if you are gone for five minutes.  I have loved watching the two of you head out the door in the mornings and how he swings back by to get you to go to Target with him.  Always go to Target with him when he asks and ask him to take you.  You’ll never regret that.  

My sweet girl, you make fifteen look so fine.  You are the loveliest human and you love with your whole being.  You love God and love people and people love you back.  God loves you too.  We have always known this when you were tiny and gave out those free juicy kisses but to be in your circle and to be loved by you is truly a gift.  You are the most resilient girl and though I wish resilience did not come with a price and you did not have to learn to be that way so young, you will use that fully to your advantage.  You see the good and expect the good in other people. You should always do that even if they don’t always deliver, people will see the good in you.  

I could not be more proud to be your mom.  May your spirit always be as free as it ever has been.  The world is yours my girl and I’m just here to watch you take it all in.  

“‘Cause when your fifteen, 

Somebody tells you they love you

You’re gonna believe them 

And when your fifteen 

Don’t forget to look before you fall

I’ve found time can heal most anything 

And you just might find who you’re supposed to be 

I didn’t know who I was supposed to be

At fifteen”  - Taylor Swift 

I love you the mostest, Martha Katherine Jessop.  Now go study for that permit test.  

Love, 

MOM