For Emma: This is 19

Tomorrow is my daughter’s 19th birthday. About a month ago, and again yesterday, she lamented its arrival. “What IS nineteen anyway?" She asked. "Why can’t I just skip straight to 20? Ugh,” then “19 is so insignificant.” There is no doubt this child is mine; So eager to get to the perceived good stuff, ready to bypass the bullshit of youth and get down to the business of being an adult. I get it; I was the same way. Now, in my infinite wisdom, I finally understand that without 19, there is no 20. And without 20, no 21. A day at a time we build our foundation, hopefully growing into the best versions of ourselves, enduring the pitfalls --and celebrating our accomplishments--along the way. This, my sweet girl, is what 19 is:

1. Nineteen is standing on the edge of life, capable of shaping it into whatever you want.

2. Nineteen is you, grasping tight to the lessons of the last 18 years and leaving behind what doesn’t serve you anymore

3. Nineteen is fresh perspective

4. Nineteen is eyes-wide-open

5. Nineteen is the start of an expedition in self-discovery

6. Nineteen is unimaginable possibility

7. Nineteen is 365 days for you to do whatever you want with

8. Nineteen is your chance to shine

9. Nineteen is the end of a chapter and the start of a new, can’t-put-it-down novel

10. Nineteen is adventure!

11. Nineteen is your blank canvas; paint, draw, create!

12. Nineteen is pat-yourself-on-the-back time; the teen years weren’t easy.

13. Nineteen is continued discovery and new decisions

14. Nineteen is time to dance like no one’s watching

15. Nineteen is remembering that everything will be okay, no matter what

16. Nineteen is me watching you, and getting excited about who you are becoming

17. Nineteen is time to be thankful for the little things

18. Nineteen is designing your future

19. Nineteen is you, never more beautiful

Happy, happy birthday Emma. I love you.

Mom