Ode to Kate on Your Sweet 16th Birthday

July 8, 2023

My Dearest Kate,

Happy, Happy Sweet 16th Birthday!

Oh my goodness!  You woke up today, headed to driver's ed and all of the sudden, the world changed, and you are officially so grown up!

Tomorrow, you'll take your driver's test and then, freedom awaits you.

My goodness, Kate.  You are such an amazing person.  It's hard to find the words to share all of the things I love about who you and what you stand for.

You recently completed your sophomore year at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart--and during that time, managed rigorous classes while dancing multiple nights a week at the Omaha Academy of Ballet, solidifed your love of fashion through costume design in the production of Macbeth and Omaha Fashion Week, and shot as many bulls eye's as possible in archery.

 

You are such a creative, thoughtful, intentional, interesting, wise beyond your years person--that you're continually inspiring me.  

You recently applied to be a participant in Duchesne's trip to Madrid next summer, and when accepted, understood that in order to go, you'd need to pay for half of the trip.  And so, by the grace of God, you nannied for a wonderful family teaching their little guy to sew and earning your ability to explore another country.

You're love for creating also secured you a spot in the Kent Bellow's mentoring program where you learn from a fashion design mentor and are designing and sewing pieces for upcoming shows.

All the while, you're still managing Enchanted Toucan, your Etsy store, making several pink plushy bats every week for customers, funding your ability to buy oodles of fabric and to thrift on a dime.

 

What I think I love about you the most is your kindness.  You're a really good person who always wants to give the next person the benefit of the doubt, who seems to have infinite amounts of patience, and who trusts that all is well and that with enough elbow grease and magic, it will all work out.  I hope you never lose this beautiful way of being in the world.

So, as you embark upon the back half of high school, and we begin the college visiting process in your junior year, a few thoughts...

• The sky is the limit.  Venture to find the right place for you.  It will inevitably be different than your big brother's and it will be exactly where you're meant to be.
  
• Keep stretching yourself.  Soak up everything you can from the mentors, teachers, instructors, peers, and influencers that you can---but at the end of the day, follow your own north star.  Be Kate.  She's the best.  And there's only one of her ever.  Dive deeply into her and trust in all that she brings.
• Spain will be the beginning of recognizing that the world is a really big place and that there's so much to see and to explore--let it brew a hunger inside of you that makes you crave more experiences of the unknown knowing that your family is always here rooting for you, wanting to hear about the world through your eyes.
• When in doubt, turn to God.  Take your fear, your hurt, your "I don't know how it's going to all work out," and give it over.  You don't have to walk alone.  You are loved.  And in time, it will be revealed.
• Your family loves you more than you can imagine.  Let this foundation be the roots that you need to fly.  Your father, brother, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins have a giant "Go Kate" sign at all times and we are always here to remind you how loved and valuable you are.

So, now's your time, girl!  Here's to freedom, adventure, exploration, opportunity and deep love.  So much excitement in the new year.  Go take it by storm!! 

 

 

All My Love, Mom