A while back I joined a circle of amazing women who have two things in common with me for sure…. we are mothers and photographers. We love our children with every ounce of us and we love to document their everyday with our camera lens. Years back I would write Letters to my son Letters to my son in order to document his everyday in pictures and words. My hope is that these letters serve as an everlasting memory of his childhood.  Recently I decided to continue the letter writing.

And here is letter number one of 2023…

Dear Adri,

It is hard to believe that when I first starting writing these letters you were in elementary school.  And now as I begin writing this one, we are at the end of your senior year of high school.  Recently you celebrated your 18th birthday and you are one month from walking the stage in front of family and friends.  It is hard to believe that the little boy that once called me “mommy” has grown up into an amazing young man.

I think back to my senior year and how eager I was to get started on the next chapter of my life.  I was so eager to get out into the world to start doing the “grown up” thing and before I knew it I was bombarded with so many responsibilities.  Your grandma always says that I grew up too fast… and I didn’t allow myself time to just be an 18 year old. I think back to that time and I regret wanting to get out into the world of adulting too fast.

So the thought I have right now for you is this:  Take your time and explore the world before you commit to a forever career.  Ask the questions you need and spend time doing different things until you find your “right path.”  Give yourself the opportunity to enjoy these years as a young adult before taking on any other extra responsibilities.  You have the rest of your life to be a grown up!

I am so very proud of the young man you have become!  Your senior year is just the beginning of the amazing things you will experience in this next chapter of your life.  I can’t wait to see all that you do!

Love,

mom