A Teenager.

“When you write my birthday blog, make sure you say I’m the easiest child.”

I don’t know why my children have always wanted to lay claim to this title, but they all have. They all have been a lot of work and a lot of fun and a lot of WHAT WERE YOU THINKING and also sometimes pretty easy. But, I have to say that Jett Takle has been an easy kid. He has been for sure my easiest middle schooler.

And today, my middle school baby is 13.

THIRTEEN. This kid who dressed up like a super hero every single day of the first 5 years of his life.

Whatever he has loved, he has loved with his whole heart. Whatever he has been into, he’s been fully in and committed to it. Whether it’s Star Wars, Marvel or Harry Potter.

Elvis Presley, guitar, or teaching himself piano.

Art, science, or learning a foreign language.

Legos, legos and LEGOS.

We have an entire room dedicated to his Legos. We have another room slowly turning into another Lego room. He goes in full force. And as a parent, you can’t help but go all in with him. Because, his passion for life is so dang contagious.

And, his love for us is honestly incredible.

Jett, you love us so so well. You love people so very well. You somehow have the gift to understand so much of what love is and what love does.

You are careful with your words. You are gentle in how they fall on people’s ears. You use them to encourage. To build up. To help. But, you are also quick to say you’re sorry and take ownership when you hurt someone.

You live out “love believes all things.” You believe the best about everyone. It is rare you allow your mind to think anything else.

You are genuinely the most grateful person I know. A couple of weeks ago, you were talking about some things you would like to have. When I went to tell you goodnight, you said, “I’m sorry, mom, for being ungrateful tonight.” I told you it’s not ungrateful to want things. God made us to desire things. He wants us to have and enjoy things. He just doesn’t want those things to have us. They don’t have you, bud. You say thank you to us every single day for every single thing.

A couple of months ago, you were missing Mike Thompson and said you forgot what his voice sounded like. So, I played you a video of him talking, and we both just sobbed. Afterwards you said, “Thank you for crying with me.” These real, raw moments with you are some of my most treasured.

How incredibly special and wonderful you are, Jett Takle.

You tell us you love us over and over every single day. You cannot help but to express your love to the people in your life.

You are FUNNY! You are so much fun to tell jokes to, because you get them and laugh with us. We probably shouldn’t have let you watch some of the tv shows we did with adult humor when you were younger, but you laughed so hard. And we as parents were apparently so tired….And, your brother and sister think it’s all really unfair. (So, being the third kid has it perks, right?)

You are SO fun to buy gifts for, because you get so excited.

You are SO smart! It’s amazing what you know and what you remember. It’s amazing how curious you are about EVERYTHING. I hope you never lose your wonder for life and for how things work. I hope you never stop being fascinated by it ALL. But, please know, I do not know the answer to most of your questions, okay?

I love how free you feel to tell me anything. I will always be a safe place for you to ask questions and share your heart. So, don’t stop. Even when you’re 16 and dating. TELL ME.

I love being with you, Jett. You once told me, “Mom, being with you is so comfortable.” Jett, being with YOU is so comfortable. You are full of ease and goodness and love and PEACE. Thirteen years of being your mom, and you still remind me to slow down and be in the moment.

You are my bud. You are all of our bud. You’re such a good and kind brother. You’re a good and kind friend. You’re an incredible son and human.

Don’t ever stop being you. Please, don’t.

YOU are everything good and the BEST dance partner.

Happy 13th Birthday, Jett Man. You are loved so very much.

Love,
Mom