To My Almost 10 Year Old

 Owen. I really like you at almost 10 years old.

You are one of the funniest people I know. You slide your quiet sarcasm and quick wit into conversations and leave me laughing every day. You can be wild and crazy with your friends but also treasure quiet time at home. You ask me every day to play football with you because I am the best quarterback in the county.

You are one of the most talented people I know. You can do anything you set your mind to. Tennis, baseball, basketball, golf...Your coaches always comment on your skill, coordination, and humble attitude. Or how about running 10 miles with your dad in honor of your tenth birthday? Yes, you did that too. 10 MILES. Buddy, you know that's not normal, right? And yet you acted like it was no big deal. That's you - hit a home run, make a crazy infield play, drive a golf ball 155 yards, go on a 10 mile run - and then walk off like nothing even happened.

You are one of the deepest people I know. You have a philosophical mind and a tender heart. You read poetry and write songs. You love to read about real stories - athletes, missionaries, historical leaders. I treasure your questions because I know they always come with much thought behind them.

You are one of the most sincere people I know. You are who you are and you don't pretend to be anyone but you. You love fishing and you hate watching sad movies. You make friends with old guys at sporting events. You wear a baseball jersey every day and you love picking which radio channel to listen to in the van.

Bud, you are a joy. I love watching you grow up and pray every day for you to be a man after God's own heart, strong and courageous and wise. I love watching you become who you are.

Happy birthday, my sweet almost 10 year old!

To My Almost 15 Year Old

Claire-bear, 15 seems too old and at the same time, just right.

What a year it has been for you. You've always been diligent, and your diligence paid off in a big way when you were chosen to receive a scholarship to train at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy in Mallorca, Spain, this past September. The thing that I savored the most was that all the coaches who worked with you saw, beyond even your talent and skill in tennis, a heart that exemplified the character they were trying to promote: effort, humility, respect, intensity, and discipline.

I thought maybe a trip to Spain would satisfy your heart, but instead I believe it lit a fire. You want to travel the world, to see and taste and experience the fulness of every moment. You love having a purpose, a goal, and throwing yourself into it with everything you have. You are courageous and bold and always up for an adventure, and I'm afraid you are going to leave me before I am ready for it.

Car conversations with you are my favorite. You are a good listener and full of wisdom. I love hearing your perspective on all matters. I love seeing your faith grow, watching you seek the Lord and His will for your life, hearing you wrestle through issues, watching you make thoughtful decisions.

You are a quiet leader, a loyal friend, a non-quitter. You broke your foot last December and still played three basketball games before we finally realized it was actually broken. You had mono this summer and still led your team to win the state junior team tennis championship before we realized that it was actually mono. I don't really know anyone else like you.

I know these next few years are going to fly by, but I am so deeply grateful for a front-seat view to watch you becoming who you are. Keep growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Keep trusting Him and acknowledging Him in all your ways. 

Happy birthday, my sweet almost-fifteen-year-old!!!