Fabulous Fifteen
Dear Ane,
Today you are fifteen years old, and I think it is only fair to tell you that when I was fifteen, my best friend said to me, “There’s this really great guy I’ve met at college, and I want you to meet him sometime because I really like him and I hope he asks me out.” Spoiler warning: that “really great guy” did not ask her out. That “really great guy” was your father, who I met when I was fifteen, for the sole purpose of sizing him up for my best friend. It took another 5 years before we started dating.
All that to say… you are never dating anyone, ever, so why am I telling you this? (Only kidding. Sort of.)
This year has been a tough one when it comes to the boys. And I’m not talking about your brothers (though they have given you quite the education on the anatomy of the male body by streaking through the house occasionally). This is the age when the male of the species starts to wake up and notice that girls do not have cooties. This does not, however, mean that the teenage boy is either emotionally mature or capable of effective communication. That comes much, much later. MUCH LATER. As in, NOT NOW. As your friend CJ has pointed out, this is the “look, but don’t touch” phase of life. Or, as that same best friend of mine once said, “Boys are dumb.” She is still right. So, here’s two things you need to remember when dealing with teenage boys:
1) No is a complete sentence. Use it at will. Offer no further explanations.
2) Your father has pretty good aim.
This year has also shown that you have a kind heart, capable of loving much and helping much. You are a good friend, even if sometimes those you are trying to help fail. Your cheerful spirit and willing hands have not gone unnoticed.
Also…. Ane, I love you dearly, but you need to find a way to do your makeup in the mornings in 10 minutes or less. Seriously. Or, if you want to spend that much time on your makeup, you need to WAKE YOURSELF UP. With swim team over and you catching the school bus again (with no safety net, now that Dad is busing to work again), you need to work on your time management. Yes, we do ask that you watch your brothers after school so I can get them to and from different things (mostly therapy). This “come home and nap immediately after school until Mom wakes me up” deal has got to stop. Because when you do that, you aren’t finishing your homework, and then you’re up well past your bedtime finishing said homework, then not getting enough sleep, then not waking up on time, then coming home after school to nap… you see the cycle happening? You have the power to fix it.
You are growing up so fast, and are generally really responsible when you think about it. If you could just get yourself organized, you really could take over the world. You can start with making your lunch the night before, and laying out your clothes for the next day before bed. Baby steps.
You have proved that you are capable of so much, Ane. Now it’s time for you to focus and prove that you can do it well.
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31
Happy 15th birthday, Ane. You are so very much loved by me, your Dad, and your brothers.
And yes, we will look into driver’s ed class for next summer (God help us all).
Love,
Mom
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