Seventeen

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Seventeen.  How did we get here?

While this can be a time of challenges, you are on the precipice of great things.  You’ve done a lot of prep work and are just about ready to start a new journey.  Your dad and I have hopefully given you many of the tools you’ll need, but, really, this is the time of beginning where you’re less of us, and more of you - more of who you are becoming. 

We hope we’ve led you, taught you well, that you see us more as examples to you and less as excuses for you.  We hope you realize how capable you are of being who you want to be, of achieving whatever you want to achieve - because, we see that.

We hope we’ve prepared you for this privilege of driving forward- that you’ll know when to risk and when to be responsible.  Life involves both and you must find your balance.  And Tommy, you are so very capable of that. 

I love your wit, your intelligence, your comedic timing, your silliness.  I love seeing you in your role as an older brother.  Your milestones are more subtle now but they are noticed and treasured and, yes, bittersweet. 

This is your journey, Tommy.  It's not always about the destination – a lot of it is about how you get there, what route(s) you take, what stops you make along the way, who is riding shotgun next to you.  Sometimes remember to take the scenic route – look around you – there is SO MUCH, Tommy, so much to enjoy, experience, learn from.  Know when to brake and when to press the gas, because we so want you to enjoy this ride. 

You are seventeen.  We love you.