The 9th Year

 Happy birthday, Alice!

Today you are 9.

It has been another year of learning and laughing and growing.

You still curse the Rona even though we did get to have some fun outside of the house this year. 

You got to spend the summer making new friends at Day Camp with the city of La Porte. 

We got to take the first family vacation we've had since your 5th birthday! We spent a few days exploring downtown San Antonio. We stayed in a hotel and did almost every single touristy thing we could. We had so much fun just being together away from the house. We also traumatized you with a Ghost Tour and will probably never hear the end of it. It's okay - it was still fun.

You had the MOST EPIC birthday party ever! Your village came together to play Among Us. We ran all over Nana's house being suspicious and having the best time ever.

We have had another year of making memories.

But I have to be honest, you have had a difficult time with the idea of turning 9. You have had this amazing self awareness that makes you understand this is a major year of growth. You see this as a loss of something young and a turn to something grown and you are not thrilled. You are fighting the idea of getting older tooth and nail. 

I was telling to our friend, Laura, about your dread of growing up and her response was "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." And she's right. 

I sobbed at the end of every major life chapter when faced with a new uncertain one. 

The idea of growing up is daunting and overwhelming. We have shared many talks about how it's evitable and 9 might not be all that terrible. 

You have moments where you slightly agree but mostly you feel like it's all downhill from here. 

This morning you had a minor meltdown. I've tried to stress that it's not that bad; it's just another day. It's not like you have to start paying your own car insurance now! You don't turn 9 and instantly get a mortgage! That's not how this works. 

Kid, it's going to be okay. Growing up is not all that bad.

And no matter what tomorrow brings, you have a village of people who adore you. You will never lack support or encouragement. We will get you through whatever it is you have to deal with. You will not have to face anything alone.

Child, you are loved. Always. 

Love,

Mom and Dad