Diesiseis.
I've been in love with you for sixteen years, ten months, and 38 hours as of 2:01 pm this afternoon.
Now, you were twelve and fifteen in between that time - so I haven't always been in like with you for all of those hours. But I've loved you.
The day we brought you home I remember thinking, wait... they're just gonna GIVE her to me? No home check, no paper signing, no manuals? Just: here's a baby - try not to break her. And I have tried.
Through your third year when you decided to flip the Brat switch and seemingly forever lose the docile button.
Through your sixth year when you realized we weren't kidding about a second sister.
When you were ten and really started honing your argument skills.
That twelfth year when I was pretty certain one of us would be brought up on charges.
Fourteen. When you decided, after some serious restructuring, that we could be a team.
When you became a blonde at fifteen (not my favorite phase, but I remind myself daily that it's better than slamming doors and throwing things).
And last week when, after leaving a banquet honoring your academic prowess, you said: "I know where I want to live: California. The weather is perfect and I've seen in pictures that they have little like guest houses, so you can come too." It's the first time your plans included me since I was barbie number three in your marathon lay on the floor and change tiny outfits a million times phase. I was so thankful it was dark enough in the car that you couldn't see my watery eyes - the sigh and eye roll would've really ruined our moment.
They call this one Sweet sixteen. I'm not buying it, though. I'm guessing it's like the terrible twos that really weren't terrible at all. Because, my first love, you are not sweet. You are strong and smart and beautiful and mildly addicted to potatoes like your mama. You are capable and thoughtful and the coolest kid Eva has ever met. You are impressive and frustrating and difficult, all the things Maya strives for. You are freaking blonde . And you are unbreakable.
I couldn't be more proud and amazed by most of that.
Always,
Mama
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