Happy 13th Birthday, Duffydoo!

Dearest Duffy:

Happy 13th birthday! Wow! Welcome to being a teenager.  You are growing up so fast.  I can't believe you are officially a teenager.  You have had a great year in middle school and I think you really enjoyed the independence and freedom.  You have made some great new friends. That's one of the most wonderful things about you--you make friends so easily.  You seem to never meet a stranger and have a great way of making people have fun and be comfortable.  You are so kind and just happy.  I like to call you my little puppy dog---you are just always so happy, bouncing around and enjoying life.  You even like to put your head out the window when we drive.

You still just like to be busy. You can't stand to sit still and not be active.  It's so great about you.  You take the time to enjoy every minute that life gives you.  You just love having fun and having fun with your friends.  You are also becoming so very handsome.  I think even the girls in your grade are starting to notice.  It's been so great seeing you grow up, test you independence and figure out how to navigate life.  You are making great choices and I am so proud of the man you are becoming.  You are starting to figure out the importance of great work/life balance and working hard.  You have so many wonderful natural talents and abilities.  I am so so very proud of you.

I wish your first year in teenagedom to be safe, happy, and FUN.  I love you so much.  I know we bicker sometimes but it's just because I love you so much.  I have such high hopes and dreams for you and know you will accomplish so much in your life.   You can do WHATEVER you set your mind to.

I love you more than I can ever put into words but do know that I love you more than I love candy.  And I love you more than the world.

Love,

Mommy